Roads Paved in Shadows

by AlbertG

"We don't have information on the numbers yet, sir," one of the commanders answered quickly. "It's not the Cylons. The Thirteenth Tribe is attacking us. We're at war with Earth." Adar was completely stunned that emotion quickly turning into a burning rage. "But why?" he snarled as his rage turned into a need for vengeance.

43. Chapter 43

Roads Paved in Shadow

Chapter Forty-Three

Home

Artic region, south Pole

Yolanda Silva, Associate Director of UCW Alien Affairs continued. "The UCW does not have a death penalty statute, but you are technically, if not officially, prisoners of war. We have not designated you terrorists, but POWs, and as such, we have rules that we follow accordingly. The directors of the UCW have discussed marooning you on a deserted world and allowing you to fend for yourselves. But that is a death sentence for a people who cannot reproduce, assuming we left you to yourselves."

That sent a chill down the spines of all three Cylons. For a people who lived their lives in an artificial, protected environment, being isolated, on a world without technology, was horrifying on a visceral level. These people were monstrous in their concepts of mercy!

"You cannot be sent to a world where there are Humans who would love to have you as part of their community. They would treat you with respect and consideration as one of their own. We won't do that to them. Because of your hatred, attitudes, misconceptions, and actions that led you to this imprisonment, the UCW believes that you would try to kill them. We will not do that to them."

Yolanda continued. "We could send you back home with a very stern message about getting us involved with your squabble, but according to your centurions, your leadership might blow you out of space. The Ones of your society might fear the information you've brought back, claiming that you are contaminated and not allow your to communicate to your fellow Cylons. What would happen if your leadership didn't like your report to go public? We have not confirmed whether your world was attacked or not, but the question remains a valid one. The Centurions are aware of the hatred you carry for humanity and your leadership seems obsessed with eliminating us. How long would it take for them to begin planning an attack on us? The Centurions have informed us that they wish to return home and help their captive brethren. However, they know that they will be re-enslaved as soon as they are known to have had their inhibitors removed. Any downloads, and yes, we know about your downloading capabilities, will result in a new body with an active inhibitor. They will lose their freedom or be permanently erased or destroyed. So will you. We can send you and your people back and let your government do as they will, provided that there is a government to go back to."

"But this is also an opportunity for you, if it can be handled properly. The Colonials want to interrogate you and kill you," Silva announced. That wasn't surprising to them. "We will not have that, which is why we denied both any direct contact or communications with each other, not that you wanted to talk to them. But a video conference might do you both some good. You may never get along, but you might create something that could keep you from exterminating each other and dragging others into your war and, trust me, you do not want that. Consider, if true, neither one of you may have a home to return to," the UCW representative said, not unkindly. "Earth Alliance does wish to speak to you to let you know what is happening to your society.

"Speak to your centurions and find out where they stand with you. They are very talkative when they have their freedom. We don't trust them and they do not trust us because we are humans. Maybe this will change in the future, but for now, it is our hope that you choose to speak to them." Then she mentioned one more thing. "Some of you have complained that the energy shield is unnecessary and that you would stay within the confines of the prison camp. We do not belief you," she flatly responded. "The shield keeps you in check and protects you. Our sensors are focused on this area of Home. If the shield is inactivated, you will all die within forty-five minutes after a lot of suffering that you've experienced before. Talk to your people. Transcripts will be made available within the hour so that you can disseminate and discuss it among your people. When you have discussed this with the others, then we will be happy to answer what questions we can within the scope of our ability. Security protocols will be in effect, so don't waste time with questions you know we won't answer."

The UCW's representative remained solemn as she continued. "On another note, you are under no obligation to respond if you choose not to. The Race is interested in discussing your religious beliefs concerning your observations and opinions of the cylon belief of the One God. You present a unique opportunity to examine a belief developed independently between two species having no contact with one another. They are attempting to understand beliefs that are alien to them and how both sets have evolved independently."

For the first time since the meeting began, Gregor One smiled. "We have seen translated videos of Earth and some of their religious beliefs, but those videos are seen through alien eyes. Is it true that Earth is mostly monotheist, believing in the one God? But at the same time, you have others believing in a pantheon of gods. Everyone's living on one world and you haven't destroyed the planet? How does that even work, or are they carefully crafted lies by the Thirteenth Tribe to throw the Colonials off their game?"

"Earth is not the Thirteenth Tribe in spite of your assumptions," Yolanda answered. "We've told the Colonials this several times, but as you may expect, they have trouble believing it. It foes against their assumptions and yours as well. This is something we will continue to stress to both parties and we are at the point where we have no real interest in trying to convince either of you. We will not be subjected to your opinions and assumptions about us," she announced. "Now, to answer your original question, yes, we have vast numbers of believers of one God living around the world. We also have many variations of polytheist religions and agnostics co-existing together. This coexistence is not perfect by any means. I will add that there are some variations of religions similar to the Colonials, but they are small sects and do not compete with the other religions on Earth. As you might expect, the Kobollians don't understand this and are not pleased. We don't care. This information could have been available to you if you had not chosen to try to destroy UCW ships," she said to the shocked group of Cylons. "Your intent was clear. You planned to attack Earth, do as much damage as possible and run, or blame it on the Kobollians."

"That's not true," protested Gregor. "We wanted to talk, but certain of our crew disagreed and fired on you before we could stop them. We wanted to talk."

"But in the end, all three of your capital ships fired city-killing nukes without warning on one unknown ship in the middle of a first contact communication. Then you continued to do so," she countered. "We know what happened. Your Centurions have been very helpful in supply your background reasoning."

Gregor was in a stupor. Catherine was straining mightily to keep from screaming, while a very still Ravinia thought of new ways to break Samnar's bone's again without killing him. He so needed to suffer.

"We were wrong," Catherine said.

"Yes, and you are still responsible for your actions. We have larger problems to deal with than getting involved in someone's local disputes. We encourage you to think about this. Those transcripts will be given to you within two hours."

With that, she nodded and got up and left the three Cylons, who immediately began talking to one another, trying to figure out what, in God's name, they were going to do.

The first and most frightening question among a full range of terrifying questions was if they would talk to anyone at home. They were right about John. He would lie and start a war with the UCW. Everyone knew that, even Samnar. And what about the children? They knew what the Ones and the Fives would do.

What were they going to do?

Cyrannus Star system

Planet: Caprica

CDF Base Athena One

"Let's get to work and find out what we have left," growled Adar. "I am authorizing the border divisions to come here and engage these traitors when the time is right."

"Sir, are we sure we want to leave the Cylon border unprotected?"

"We know that the Cylons must be watching us. Sometimes we have to roll with the hard choices. They know they cannot trust the Thirteenth any more than we can. They may stand back and wait for us to wipe each other out. But I think they can see the future coming for them. Earth will not stop with us. I know it and so do the Cylons."

"Mister President," growled a very suspicious and angry Lead Admiral Cain. "What are you trying to say?"

"We need to pull our forces from the border and use them to support what's left of our defenses here. We have to consolidate what is left of our forces and strike back against the Thirteener traitors before we can't!"

General Corman looked pale. He understood the reasoning, as it had been his suggestion. But using this plan as a viable course of action disturbed him. If the Earthers wiped out what was left of the fleet and the hidden reserves, everything was lost.

Cain was livid. "I knew you were a fool, but this is beyond even your ignorance!" He raged. Adar was furious and at the edge of blowing up. "We leave the border, and the Cylons will pick off whatever's left of our forces after the Earthers finish with us. We need to consolidate our other forces and keep them from butchering our worlds. The border forces deters the Cylons from attacking us."

"You've read the reports, Lead Admiral," Adar responded coldly. His voice sounded as dangerous as anyone had ever heard, but Cain either ignored, or didn't notice it. "Those reports suggest that the Cylons are being attacked, too. Long-ranged DRADIS scans recorded massive detonations deep within their territories."

"Mister President," the man sneered, "They know we're being attacked. It's a trick for us to think of this exact scenario. And you're falling for it. We need to consolidate our forces and attack the Earthers when they least expect it and that window is coming up soon. You're not military, but even you have enough sense to see this!"

"That is enough!" President Adar was so angry he couldn't see straight. "You are relieved. This is not your problem anymore. Guards," he yelled out. "Get this man out of my sight. Lock him in a cell! The charge is insubordination. I want him in a cell, and I don't mean his quarters. Do it!"

Agustus Cain was incensed by the order. "You can't do this, Mister President," he sneered. "You need me if we're going to survive!"

"I am the elected President of the Colonies. I don't care if you like it or not," the man literally screamed. "You're valuable, but not as much as you believe yourself to be. You are treading the edge of insurrection. I will not have it. I don't care what you think of me. You are not the only one fighting this war." Adar turned to the four guards, waiting for further orders. "Take him. Get him out of my sight."

"Your incompetence will cost us this war!" Cain yelled as his guards led him away.

"Your arrogance will kill us all," retorted Adar before the man was out of earshot. He then ignored him, to the shock of the others witnessing the debacle. "General Corman, I want all of the reports on any of our assets that survived the attacks. I want a plan presented to me to strike the Earther fleet at Tauron. They are congregating there, and I want them hit hard. Give the recall order for all elements at the border to prepare to add their firepower."

Corman's face was taut. "Tauron might be a dead world," he hissed. "Reports suggest that the devastation was total. There is nothing left there! Why is their fleet over Tauron? What haven't they hit Caprica with those super nukes?"

He questioned. "This has to be a raid, as we thought. They haven't asked for terms. They're just stealing our ships."

Admiral Paticia Jansin jumped in. "The Star station is still relatively intact," she said. "Are they using I as a base of operations? That is what I would do."

"Then that's our target," Adar snapped. "It's obvious that they want us dead. We're nothing to them. We will hurt them." He paused. "We have to prepare plans for evacuation of the Colonies." The weight of his words seemed to make him sag. "We can only save a very few. We will have to run if we are able to save any part of our civilization. Where, I don't know, but we will have to get as many as we can before the Earther Alliance exterminates us in retaliation. Whether we attack them or do nothing, I have a fear that our fates in this system is sealed. Icall upon all of our spiritual leaders to pray and curse the Thirteenth. They are traitors in every sense. May they all burn in Hades! Let's get to work…"

Sol System: Earth

CDF Junis

Commander Eddlison's gut was still screaming at him two hours after the near battle that almost occurred with the Tau'ri. Admiral Kunningham almost started a war, one that no one wanted and wasn't necessary because of what the Earth Alliance faction had told them. Those people were more than willing to share their information, but the admiral had to push it, trying to reestablish his dominance over the Thirteenth Tribe and the UCW. Eddleson didn't agree with his commander, but the man was in charge, and he would have followed orders and lives would have been lost.

He knew something was terribly off when the entire diplomatic staff was asked to attend an impromptu meeting on Earth with the Earth Alliance representatives. Like the others, he assumed that the Earth Alliance was a breakaway colony of Earth, or possibly a faction that was exiled from Earth's government.

Admiral Kunningham had shuttled down, so whatever had happened was something big, and the commander was scheduled to join them as soon as he completed his final checks for the anticipated battle with the unknown forces allegedly coming to strike at Earth. But he never made it. Instead, he was prepared to take the EA ships by force as necessary. The whole thing was a diplomatic nightmare and, frankly, Isahan had her hands full trying to salvage any of this.

Things were tense since they had gotten here, and this incident made things worse. The conditions of the ships were back to standard operating station, but he couldn't see diplomacy not being considered by those at home as a failure.

The only thing that could have made things worse was if Helena Cain had been the admiral in charge. Those thoughts still gave him nightmares. Retire Lead Admiral Cain had pushed hard for her to take command. Adar nixed the idea and those twos feud was opened for all to see.

Helena's temper was legendary in her desires to dominate everyone and everything. He sincerely believed that they would be in a war at this very second. It would have started the moment the Race had threatened the Vipers when the diplomatic fleet first arrived. The Race would not have allowed them to do a fly-by, as per standard procedure in Colonial space. Helana Cain would have insisted, demanding that she had the authority to do so, no matter what their rules were. That one fact alone made him appreciate Kunningham, who would, sometimes, listen to reason.

Things on Earth were settled quickly, much to the fleet's embarrassment and relief. So far, another disaster was avoided.

---

,

The Minoan battlestar was just about to hand off security to its sister ship, Tycheon. DRADIS crewmen tried their best to gather scan from the new ships but to no avail. Unless their ECM went inactive, it was impossible to get any more than the most basic details. Although what they did see was most impressive. The ships had missile ports as well as rail guns, and what could have been laser weapons? How powerful they were was unknown, but he wouldn't underestimate them.

They'd been in orbit for several hours. And their shuttles were in constant usage. Those four vessels were shutting down non-critical systems and already two Earth ships had docked with the most critically damaged vessels. However, the second large warship remained active, although there were a few shuttles from the ship heading towards Earth. That ship was passively scanning the Colonial fleet and had been doing so for the last hour.

In a flash of inspiration, he smiled. That action gave him the excuse he was looking for. Kunningham's orders were to hold off initiating communications, but the time had expired, and their scans gave him an excuse he was, in all honesty, searching for. Plus, they were already in communication with them on Earth, so technically establishing comms was not violating Kunningham's initial orders.

"Lieutenant Vomand Kimei, please establish communications with the Earth Alliance ship scanning us."

So formal, Commander thought Kimei. "Yes, sir. Sending greetings, normal channels used by the Thirteeners."

"You mean the Tau'ri?" Eddlison suggested, while looking in his direction.

"Or the triple Ts," whispered Peris. Her ad lib comment received an exasperated look from her cousin in return.

"Yes sir. They are responding."

Commander Eddlison wasn't surprised. He was betting they were as interested in talking to him as he was to them. Point, in fact, he wanted to speak to one of the Shiplords of the Race just for the experience. But that would have to wait until later. On screen was a no-nonsense woman in her very early forties, wearing what he assumed was an Earth Alliance uniform. She looked serious, and he could tell she was a stone-cold professional warrior. But the sight of the woman shocked him. She looked half starved to death.

In his mind, there was no doubt that these people had to be the group that the Tau'ri were fighting against. Hese people called themselves Earth Alliance, so by that reasoning, either they were a breakaway colony or group, or a breakaway faction that shared the name Earth with the Tau'ri. The communication was in Americana Englisa, and it led credence to his theory.

"Salutations," he began. "I am Commander Demetrius Eddlison, representing the…" He almost said 'thirteen tribes of Kobol but stopped himself. "…The Twelve Colonies of Kobol, escorting diplomatic envoys to the presumed Thirteenth colony Earth, also known as the world of the Tau'ri."

He gave his cousin Joan a dirty look, emphasizing the fact for her not to mutter her usually whispered caustic cracks while he was in communications. She did that on occasion, usually at the worst possible time. One day, he would write her up.

One day.

On the view screen, the woman nodded. She looked cautious and strained, and if he didn't know better, she looked surprised by his greetings.

"I am captain Elizabeth Lockley-Sheridan in command of the Earth Alliance warship Storm Front. I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances."

Eddlison was confused. "What do you mean circumstances?" he cautiously asked. "To my understanding, this is the first time our governments have meant. I presume that you are not part of the Tau'ri."

The Earth Alliance captain stared at him like she was trying to look into his soul. At that moment, she came to a decision. "I can understand your confusion. We're refugees fleeing from Earth Alliance. Our government has become a dictatorship. We are the last, as far as we know, of the resistance. Earth Alliance is spread across several sectors of space, controlling forty colonies, habitats, and growing. We defeated the Minbari, a species you are unfamiliar with," she pronounced. "None of the local species in our territory dares to oppose us. Only the Vree and the Youlou are strong enough to fight back against us, but that won't last long if our leader, President Clark, gets his way. I don't know if you were monitoring the meeting on Earth, but what my superiors said was true. Technically, our people are at war."

"You said, in your territory. I presume that there are other alien species where you come from? How many?"

There are many intelligent species where we are located. They are common."

"We have never met any non-human species in our long years of being in space. It is a new concept to us." Demetrius didn't show it, but he was surprised. Some of the information wasn't clear when the diplomats on the floating Earth city, Lemuria. It also rough home with sickening clarity, the possibility that the Colonies were under attack. He had heard everything but it hadn't really hit him until Colonies might be under attack, but he wanted to hear from this captain what was really happening from her own words.

"How did he acquire so much power? Doesn't he know you've fled to Earth?"

"He doesn't know yet, and truth be told, he's so arrogant in his power, he wouldn't really care." The woman sniffed. "He's arrogant and very confident. He's coming for Earth. When he's finished, this world will be laid waste. He's a vengeful twit, and he hates this world and wants its resources. People like him never have enough."

"But he's human," Eddlison answered. "Why would he want to attack Earth? It's his ancestorial home!"

"Long story short. We are from a different Earth, not that one," she said, pointing in the direction where Earth was. "Same name, different world. There is another problem, and I am sorry to say, your colonies are in trouble as well. What you've heard in the meeting was true about what is happening in your colonies system. How long have your people been here?"

"What happened?" snapped the commander. He wasn't angry at her. However, her words frightened him and the others who heard. "What's happened?" Something was terribly wrong, and he needed to know now. his cousin was beside him, looking equally worried. The bridge crew listening in were more shocked as this confirmed what they had heard earlier.

"What Senator Sheridan told Earth was true. Your people, the Kobollian worlds, were attacked by the EA. I'm sorry to say two of your worlds were rendered lifeless," she told him, not knowing that there were now four planets decimated and devoid of life. "Possibly a third one has been nuked using super weapons capable of ripping away a planet's atmosphere. Earth Alliance is using your system as a staging area for his assault here." She glared at him, sympathetic. "I believe he will destroy your worlds and your enemies called the Cylons. He has no use for your people, and he doesn't believe in leaving enemies behind that could come back and haunt him later. His justification is that he doesn't consider you real humans. Same for the world of the Tau'ri. That is why our people are meeting with the Tau'ri now. They need this information and so do you. I'm sorry to have to confirm this, but you're in a war your people can't win. And when they're finished, they are coming here. You're too far away to help your people. You need to prepare and help the people here. I am sending you a data pack. This has all of the information we've acquired during our flight from home to here. Our systems are not fully compatible, so we will send you some equipment if necessary, so that you can read it properly. Do you have an available ship or shuttle for the transfer if necessary?"

The Colonials on the bridge went absolutely silent. The delegation on Earth had to know of this additional bombshell information as soon as possible.

Lemuria

"I don't understand," Kunningham said. The instrument was a mystery, but already he could see the incredible value of such a device. "How far is the range?" he asked as his mind struggled to ask the right questions.

O'Neill shrugged in a way that infuriated the admiral. "it's probably unlimited depending on the amount of power. It's convenient, like using a phone, except better. All you have to do is dial."

The general was playing with him again, but the admiral wasn't falling for it. This was too important. His people were gaping like fish out of water. Before he could continue, Ambassador Isahan started asking questions.

"How safe is it?" she looked as intrigued as she did terrified. But the gleam in her eyes said it all. The power of such an instrument was beyond price.

"We thought you might be interested in seeing this and experiencing it for yourselves. I am doing this personally. I don't get out much anymore, but I am taking a couple of hours off to personally conduct this little visit before I get too busy trying to keep the planet from being blown up. I am sure you'll have a few questions you might want to ask."

Caprica

"Sir, what are you're saying, that we've lost?" Corman asked. His voice was icy.

"You know as well as I do, when we strike them, they will retaliate. They never responded to our offers of surrender. They know where Athena One is but haven't bothered to attack it yet. With their nukes they could, if not cut through our defenses, or just irradiate the world. We all see it coming."

Corman and the others had already come to that conclusion, but hearing it brought home indicated how close to the edge they were. "We need every resource we have to hurt them and give us time for those who we can save to get away." For a moment, he allowed his hatred of Earth to overwhelm him. "We will kill as many of them as we can. We will come through this, and no matter how long it takes, we will find out why they have done this to us, and then we will burn their world to ashes."

Lemuria

The gate activated once more, and another group walked towards and through the shimmering blue, water-like event horizon. None of the travelers seemed the least bit apprehensive. "Interested in going to another world, just by stepping through the light, so to speak?"

"To where?" asked one of the Colonials. Kunningham looked interested but cautious, but the hook was set, and he realized he couldn't say no. this was too important.

Halima couldn't really believe that such a device really existed. It had to be a trick. A heaven's doorway was beyond any science, man had ever created. Its existence was impossible. But if real… then humanity had the galaxy in their grasp.

"if we leave now, we will be back in two hours," O'Neill said. "haven't been through in a while, I miss the travelling," he added with a touch of nostalgia.

Kunningham already had his answer. "I need to contact my people and let them know we will be out of communication for a few hours."

"We understand," Jackson said, trying not to smile. "I think you'll find Home II interesting." He turned to the ambassador and motioned her to come with him. "We have a few minutes. We need to talk." They moved off to the side, away from the others. Kunningham watched, suspicious, but said nothing.

Jackson folded his arms and prepared to speak. Isahan's hair almost stood up on its ends. This was another problem she would have to deal with.

"We want you to answer a question that's been bothering us for a while. Your small delegation fleet has almost sixty thousand people in total. Between the crews of your capital warships and escorts, construction crews, maintenance personnel, delegates, scientists, technicians, aides, marine contingent, biologists, sociologists, medical personnel, researchers, civilians workers and families. Well, that is quite a lot of people coming here just for an introduction to a people you haven't met in several thousand years. You searched for a world you weren't sure you would find. That sounds more like a colonization than just a simple introduction." Daniel shot the ambassador a look that dared her to lie about Colonial intentions.

Isahan flushed violet. "You're the 13th colony," she started. "We expected to start integrating immediately, but…"

He cut her off. "No, we're not," he corrected. "We keep telling you this."

"We believe you to be," she responded without missing a beat. "We expected to find a colony under duress and we wanted to help you and integrate you back into the wider family of humanity," she answered. Her voice never wavered but the woman looked sheepish, having said that. "The Twelve Tribes imagined an isolated colony world was assumed to need help and we are–were here to help and support you. We didn't want the cylons to find you and destroy your people."

"And you expected to immigrate to Earth, because you assumed we would have no objections, and possibly be intimidated enough by your huge warships to allow you to move in. Or we'd be so happy to have you here, we would just fall over ourselves as unification began.? How is that working for you?" he glared dangerously at her. "I bet you also wanted to get your hands on our resources and technology. Wait," he muttered to her. "I said that to you before, didn't I?"

"You've made your point," the woman answered a little too quickly.

"we have approximately eight point two billion souls on Earth alone. You assumed wrong. But that's not the important issue here now. we need to confirm what is happening in the Cyrannus system. If it's true, you may well not have much to return home to, so we can offer several worlds for you people to settle on, or you can return home. We repeat, Earth is not here for you to do with as you please. But we can help if the worst has happened."

"If the worst has happened, and I refuse to believe it, then you wouldn't allow us to settle on Earth, even though you are our brothers and sisters?"

"Our declarations haven't changed. You can't force us to follow your expectations, and this may not be the problem you believe it to be. Your entire fleet settling here wouldn't really affect us, but your own culture would be smothered within a couple of generations. Twenty or thirty million wouldn't have a deleterious effect on earth, not with the Chaos we have here. I have no doubt you would wish to preserve your culture if worse comes to worse and we can help with that. However, coming here and trying to extend your will over us would not be in either of our best interests, if worse comes to worse." But, there are others in the UCW that might be willing to share their world with you. And the protected planets are out of the question. When things settle down and we find out what is going on, and survive this battle and stomp Earth Alliance's butt, and make sure the Ashtorath don't try to take advantage of this mess, and convince you people we are not the Thirteenth, not that we are going to try that hard, you understand. Then we can consider having a Third Contact."

O'Neill came over, listening to what the two had said.

Isahan was shocked. "You fear and hate us that much," she whispered to him.

"We don't hate you at all," Jack told her. "But your government will take a while to understand our position, and if what Earth Alliance said is true, then my Earth will be assumed to be the enemy. And guess how that is going to turn out?"

"I will make it clear who is responsible. But I need to know details about Earth Alliance, who they are, where they are, and why they attacked their brothers and sisters, and how they are related to your Earth."

"That will be doable after we deal with this upcoming battle. But be careful what you ask for. It'll be unbelievable to you and if it's hard for you, then your government is going to have a…what was the Lizardian phrase I heard years ago?" He thought for a moment. Oh, yes. 'By the Emperor's sacred waste pellets' moment.

The woman looked perplexed. "I don't understand."

He just smiled. "You had to be there."

Ten minutes later, the entire delegation was ready.

The Lemurian gate was more advanced than the one used in Colorado and was even more impressive. But it didn't have the chevron locks like the older ones. Oh, yes, he loved seeing them clicking and locking into place. This one glowed in sequence and the whoosh! But for newbies, it was still impressive. His instructions were to dial manually from the control room. It was slower, but the Colonials would be able to observe everything as the gate activated. Too bad the gate's inner dial didn't rotate. Actually, the gate did have an inner rotating dial. But that was a backup. Those ancients had backups for everything. That discovery merely showed how much about the stargates they still needed to learn.

Everyone stood a safe distance as the gate slowly activated. Each chevron triggered, the process taking about twenty seconds, long enough for everyone to get a full view. Then the energy wave pushed out with a heavy whoosh. The blue - white wave reminded everyone of an ocean surf crashing on a seashore. The energy wave settled back into the aperture of the gate and reminded everyone of the surface of a calm sea. It was beautiful, but utterly intimidating.

"To the members of the Colonies of Kobol and Earth Alliance, please follow me. Oh, and you might want to hold your breath."

"Why?" asked a frightened Ambassador Isahan. The others wanted to know why. Daniel simply shook his head.

"No reason," Jack answered. "People usually do that when they step through for the first time. You can breathe, or not. But it does seem to help the first time."

Smiling, he stepped through without hesitation. Kunningham didn't hesitate, either. If Jack could do this without any delay, then he could as well. It was a show of strength, and he wouldn't allow this Earther to show him up. He was immediately followed by Halima Cain, hand in hand, with a very nervous Isahan. They disappeared into the energy wave. Senators Sheridan, Mander and John Sheridan stepped through. The others followed…

The trip through the wormhole or Eisenstein Bridge was like nothing any of them could ever imagine. Most had their eyes closed, but all of them still saw themselves traveling through a light tunnel. There were stars rushing by, and they saw colors they'd never seen before. As they flew through the seemingly unending tunnel, they saw themselves rushing towards a huge ball of light…

Then they were at their destination, barely having time to think about the incredible experience. The trip had only taken moments, but now, they stepped onto another world of black sand and Lizardians.

O'Neill strained a muscle trying not to smile. Using the stargate for he first time, watching the expressions of the newbies. Observing the awe and terror, seeing them trying not to throw up…

He really missed the old days.

It was evening, and the stars were as clear as anyone had ever seen them. They were in another world. The impossible just happened.

Overhead, there were twin ringed moons. There were millions of stars above, representative of the edge of the galaxy's Alpha arm. On the surface, as far as the eyes could see, there were members of the Race, moving around, going about their business, and peering at them with their eye turrets. There were two other lizard-like species intermingled throughout the crowds as well. Many of them had never seen humans before and were very curious. Their cities reached into the skies and traffic seemed as bad as on Caprica or New York, but far more orderly.

Lizardian passenger aircraft dotted the skies, and in the heavens, they could see the beginnings of a huge space station being built. The air smelled different, and gravity felt lighter. All of the visitors stared wide-eyed at the sight. There were Lizardian citizens walking lizard pet creatures on leashes. The sights were just what one would see in any large city, but it was still surreal to the Colonials. It confirmed as nothing else could, that intelligent non-humans existed. It was real. Once more, it brought home how different their cousins were and how unique their perspectives of the galaxy were.

The Colonials were in awe. After exposure to the Race, they were more comfortable being around the short creatures, but this was a novel experience. It almost made up for the disturbing news concerning what may have happened to their worlds. Being here was almost enough for them to forget.

Almost.

Other than the trip through the wormhole, the Earth Alliance visitors took it in stride. They were used to intelligent alien life on other worlds.

They observed a group of brightly painted Lizardians coming to greet them.

"As you can see, their gate is protected by heavily armed guards and an energy shield to keep out unwelcomed visitors."

"The gate looks different," John Sheridan noted as he scrutinized the fantastic device.

"Older model."

"Oh, by the gods," whispered one of Isahan's aides. He was still processing what he was experiencing.

"I knew someone was going to say that," Jack smirked. "Welcome to Home II, a member of the United Coalition of Worlds. By the way, don't eat any of the dishes here unless you like liquid salt. They have a thing for it." Everyone nodded. "And when we get back, we will work on confirming what's happening on Cyrannus, and work on our planetary defenses." He turned his attention to the Lizardian officials, nodded his head to the lead individual. "I greet you in the name of the UCW. I am General Jack O'Neill of Earth, known to you as Tosev III. The members with me are…"

He introduced the visitors.

Then he whispered to the ambassador, "They are stiff and imperialistic, but they are okay, you just get used to them. Remember, you have a little less than two earth hours before we have to return, so make it count."

Gods, she was really beginning to hate this assignment.

TBC