Record keeping time: The procedure went well…so far. But I do strongly recommend that you try to avoid extensive eye surgery if possible. It can be very intense and the recovery is rough. If you have the chance, please read 'Katasi'. It has everything to do with one of the series that is already being posted.
This chapter is longer than normal, but I hope you enjoy it.
Happy belated birthday, Charlie!
Also when the Asgard home world as mentioned, I specifically mean the new colony that they established after the replicator war.
Chapter 54 has been re-edited. This isn't 'Toads Paved in Shadows'. Heh, that sounds like the Muppet show with, "Pigs in Space/"
Now, go for it!
Skeet
NEW CHAPTER 55
Cyranus System
Athena Base
"…I am First Contact Specialist Nignxe, a proud male of the Empire of the Race, part of the United Coalition of Worlds," he said. "I wait patiently as you allow your logic and intelligence to dominate your anxiety so that we may initiate civilized conversation."
"It speaks! One of the security guards growled. "It's speaking Caprican standard."
"How is that possible?" another person in the growing crowd yelled. "Spying on us!" Like most people in the rapidly increasing crowd, the man's voice dripped with venomous suspicion. "It's been spying on us!"
Another woman screamed. "It's them! They're the ones attacking us, not our Tribal brethren!"
"Kill it! Kill it now, before they get inside and eat us all!" someone else screamed in panic.
In response, more weapons were aimed at the holographic figure. Confusion and panic was rising, drawing the senior staff to the scene. Admiral Corman was screaming, trying to get the people to move out of his way. As he and Colonial soldiers advanced on the scene. However, two other senior officers were closer and were about to confront the threat.
The Lizardian's eye turrets were moving wildly, taking everything in, but he remained silent. Lead Admiral Cain and Rear Admiral James Karakis forced their way to the front, to see for themselves what was going on. Security held Adar back, away from the …thing, in fear for his own safety. But it was Corman who finally elbowed his way to the front, demanding answers first. He was shocked at seeing a creature who was now eyeing him with interest.
Trying his best to keep from starting a firefight inside the complex, his voice was calm but tinged with apprehension and fear. A quick word from one of his soldiers told him that the thing in front of him could understand him. Surprised and suspicious, he spoke to the creature.
"I am General Corman. What in the name of the gods are you?" he yelled, which was something that he immediately regretted as he was struggling to keep his voice under control. To him, this was most likely the face of the enemy, despite the evidence accumulating on his desk. The so-called Tau'ri attacking them, could have been an elaborate deception, and it was this thing and its ilk that were the true enemy.
Aliens!
"There is no need to yell," Nignxe responded, confusing and angering the admiral, who was already off his game. "I hear you perfectly. To avoid some irrelevant discourse. I will repeat myself. I am First Contact specialist Nignxe, a member of the Empire of the Race, and a proud member of the United Coalition of Worlds, called the UCW. The UCW is a confederation of humans and non-humans who have come together for economic interests, planetary security, and scientific advancement. I have not fully learned your Colonial standard language yet. Therefore, I am using a translating device to expedite communication. We were unaware that the Earth Alliance faction had attacked your worlds and the domains of the Cylon factions until recently. We have come here to survey the situation and report back to UCW Command."
Corman glared at the creature. "You're an alien!"
"Correct."
"Why would you care what happens to us?" he prided himself on his ability to detect lies and was therefore, eager to hear what the creature had to say. He noticed the device on the floor. It was a comms device of some kind, able to transmit as well as receive sound and images. It was advanced and how it got there, no one knew. It was a security breach that was going to be investigated as soon as this was over.
"We encountered your diplomatic delegation fleet six weeks ago," he said, to the shock of everyone present. "First contact between us presented some difficulty. Your fleet was searching for Earth and we were patrolling an area threatened by an unknown adversary. We wanted to bring your fleet to a place of safety first, but being true to your nature, Admiral Kunningham and Ambassador Isahan resisted, suspecting that we had ulterior motives. We informed them that we knew where Earth was but would not give them the coordinates until we were sure of the fleet's intentions. Hostilities almost broke out when we told them we would not and if that was not satisfactory, then, the fleet could turn around and go home. Again, hostilities almost occurred, but an agreement was reached. We contacted Earth, and the Earth representative. First Contact Director Doctor Daniel Jackson opened communications with your delegation fleet."
Corman and Cain turned brick red with anger at the mentioning of that name. Corman was about to explode. However, the UCW representative continued.
"I will clarify, to facilitate a better understanding for all concerned. Earth Alliance is not part of the Tau'ri. They are enemies of the UCW. The UCW was created by the Terran-Tau'ri, who have incorporated other human worlds and near-human, and non-humans into this new union. Other species are interested in joining this new organization and are waiting to see how it develops. Your delegation fleet is on Earth. I am unsure if it is safe. The same enemy has attacked the Cylon faction has attacked the home world of the UCW in strength. This is the enemy that has revealed itself to us."
The information being revealed to the gathered crowd caused a wave of shock and murmurs to spread throughout the gathering. Some of the Colonials in the know, were intrigued. Others were more than a little doubtful about what they were hearing.
"You are telling us the Cylons were attacked as well," Gain sneered. "Good riddance."
Nignxe continued. "We believe that Earth alliance and this other enemy are working together. It is a long story and we do not have time for discourse now. I will now summarize a short history of the Terran Tau'ri. Please have your recording devices active, as I cannot repeat this in detail. The Earth Alliance ships are orbiting this world. We are communicating via tight beam subspace. We believe Earth Alliance knows where you are but, has chosen not to attack you yet. They use tachyon transmissions which can, under certain circumstances, intercept or interfere with your newly developed relays. Be aware of this when using your FTL communications.
"Now, in summary. The Terran Tau'ri encountered the Earth alliance almost twenty of your years ago when they fought against a superior enemy. The Tau'ri were pulled into the war because they were human. The enemy tried to destroy them, but were destroyed in return. The Tau'ri ship was stranded in their territory and they helped Earth Alliance. They gave them technology to help the Earth Alliance. It gave them the ability to effectively fight back. The enemy was not pleased and did their best to destroy the Tau'ri ship. But it was too late. The technology given them changed the course of the war. But the Earth Alliance wanted all of the Tau'ri technology. Those military secrets were the Tau'ri, and those who gifted the technology for them. They tried to take the ships when General O'Neill arrived with their rescue crafts. The attempted hijacking was rebuffed, and the general threatened to use enhance nuclear devices on the liver of the seat of Earth alliance power. They were let go, and many politicians were ruined. But later those same politicians revived their power. The Tau'ri left. But another power in that sector of space saw everything that had happened. These aliens encountered a species called the Asgard in our area of space, an ancient and very powerful government who associated with the Tau'ri.
This species, named the Vorlons, wanted to invade our space. They wanted the Asgard to remove their technology and begin again under their guidance. They also wanted all of humanity to be extinguished because humanity was too chaotic and unpredictable. That was their excuse, but we later discovered that the Vorlons could not read the minds of the humans and could not manipulate them as they had done to the humans of their sector. The Asgard refused, and the Vorlons attacked. They destroyed the Asgard world in a surprise attack and began destroying other worlds with human populations. The Asgard regrouped, and retaliated, and the Terran-Tau'ri helped. Their ships were upgraded and together, they wrecked the Vorlon military. The Asgard burned the worlds of the Vorlons. The Tau'ri attacked two Vorlon destroyers and destroyed them, but in the process their FTL drive was damaged and they landed in the Cyranus star system where they met you. Your faction tried to take their ship, and you are aware of that story.
"Your delegation fleet representatives are arguing with the Terran-Tau'ri about your superstitious beliefs," Nignxe said. Those words infuriated the Colonials listening. "They are not your 13th Tribe, and they have proof. The danger is that the same enemy that had attacked the Cylon faction is trying to destroy the Tau'ri. If they succeed, then all of the UCW is at risk. We believe that this enemy has something to do with the Vorlon Empire, but there is no definitive proof."
Cain's voice fairly dripped with suspicion as he spoke. "How many ships are attacking Earth and if Earth is so far away, how long did it take for you to get here?" he demanded to know.
"And who are you?"
"I am Lead Admiral Augustus Cain., a military leader of my people," he practically sneered."
"Are you related to the female Lieutenant Halima Cain of the Colonial Marines?"
That threw him off. "She is alive?"
"She was, before we left one and one-half days ago."
The answer sent waves of relief through him, but he was more suspicious than ever. "Do you expect us to believe you made it here in a day and a half?" he growled,
Nignxe's eye turrets moved to the side. He was then replaced by shiplord Straha., who surmised where the conversation was heading, and he wasn't going to have it.
To Colonial eyes, this creature looked completely different from the first creature.
"I am Shiplord Straha, who commands this vessel. Your delegation fleet took more than a year as you ascribe time, to find Earth. It will take nine months for them to return. The UCW can travel this distance a day and a half without difficulty. When our battle is over, we will come to the Cyranus sector and wreck the Earth Alliance fleet,. They believe they are strong," Straha said. "They are not strong enough."
"I have a question," Corman interrupted, "If you are real and not some fabrication, why didn't Doctor Jackson or another human come and talk to us instead of–you?"
Straha answered without hesitation. "You need to know that there are more than humans in this galaxy. You also need to know that the UCW is more than just humanity. You need to know that there are friends among the stars as well as enemies. You need to know that the Terran-Tauri are not alone and are not your 13th Tribe, no matter what you believe. They will not submit to your articles of Colonizations or abandon their superstitions, in favor of yours."
"And you expect us to believe this load of crap?" huffed Cain.
"I do not care what you believe. We have stated the facts to you. When we finish with our war, we will come here and defeat their forces. Earth Alliance found you in their search for Earth. They care nothing for you other than for what they can strip from you. Three of your worlds are dead. Two more are close to extinction. The rest have suffered nuclear detonations. None of your worlds were spared. The Cylon faction is all but destroyed and are fleeing. We will contact them.
"You can't!" Corman yelled, "They're machines, monsters who will destroy you and Earth if given half a chance."
"They are not a threat to us, and we are aware of their duplicity. There was a Cylon fleet following the delegation fleet. We spoke to them, and they fired on us during first contact talks. We destroyed their fleet and captured the survivors. We have learned much about them and we will talk to them and give them a chance at survival."
"You can't!" Cain demanded. "We order you not to!"
"Straha's lower jaw dropped down in laughter. "You may suggest," he snapped. "You do not have the authority to order the UCW to do anything. We will come to help remove the Earth Alliance from your territory. Then we will go and punish them when we are sure that their allies are defeated."
"Then our brothers and sisters from Earth will help us?" the other admiral asked. Like the others, he was extremely skeptical.
"Yes. But any treaties or official alliances will be up to the politicians. We will leave this holographic device. It will serve as an encrypted subspace communications device that will allow you to communicate with the diplomatic fleet. We will contact the Cylon faction and confirm it the enemy that attacks the UCW is the same as the fleet attacking Earth. I also advise you again not to use your primitive subspace communications unless it is critical. An Earthforce ship is moving towards our position. To use the comms device, just press the green button in two days time. May your ancestors protect you."
"Wait, we have questions that demand answers," Cain snarled. "Why didn't the Tau'ri have you contact us? Why you?"
"You needed to know that others besides Humanity exist in the galaxy," he repeated. "You needed to know that there are other enemies out here that will try to destroy you. You need to know that Earth Alliance is not your Thirteenth Tribe. You need to know you are not the center of the universe." He paused for a moment, to let the words sink in. "Your fellow humans, whom we call Tosevites, saw how the males and females of your fleet reacted to those not their kind, and wanted you to be exposed to hon-human intelligent life. You would waste valuable time, demanding answers, when the enemy is so close. The Tau'ri believe you would waste valuable time asking questions that can be answered later during this time of war. When you communicate with your diplomatic fleet leaders, then they will answer your questions. The EF ships are too close to us and we do not want to alert them to our presence yet. This transmission ends."
The image disappeared, leaving the crowd in shock and in denial. Too much was said that didn't match up with what they believed. Some refused to believe that Earth would ally themselves with such creatures. Many believed that Earth was attacking them and refused to entertain the possibility of another tribe called the Earth Alliance was real and not a deception. Corman was unsure and Cain angry with everything they had heard.
I don't believe any of this," Cain growled. It's a trick by the Tau'ri to keep us from striking back at them. They've killed some of our worlds. We all know this. And in my opinion, Earth Alliance is the Tau'ri!" the man was yelling now. "None of this is real. I'll believe it if we can confirm it with our own people.
Corman agreed. "If those creatures are telling the truth and are not some fake image by the earthers, then we will find out soon enough. Were we able to record this conversation?"
"Are you kidding? There are cameras everywhere. If what they said has any truth, then if we contact our people using that device over there." His eyes widened. "Keep that civilian from destroying the device!" he screamed as his soldiers rushed to obey.
One of the priests looked as if he were about to step on the device, and crush it from existence.
"Filth!" he yelled. The man was tackled before he could damage the device.
"Get that to Security. We need to speak to Adar as soon as we can."
The man was developing a massive headache. If their enemy knew where the base was, then their time had shortened to a matter of days. They would have to evacuate sooner than planned.
Sol System
UCW Ulysses Moon base
Colonel Alehandro Moreno, commanding
Thirty-seven jump point openings erupted, disgorging hundreds of Drakh warships, a half million miles away past Luna, Earth's moon. Three hundred Drakh raiders started their runs against the thin line of Terran and UCW warships, making their stand, Keeping those forces away from Earth. The other cloaked ships hadn't made their presence known, and wouldn't do so until the Drakh made their main push.
The gunboats were followed by at least fifty of the huge three thousand meter plus destroyers. All of them headed directly for the thin line of ships who were already moving to engage. The UCW moon base could do nothing but sit back and watch for now.
"They're too far away from the moon's cannon weapons," Moreno hissed. But they were going to get a nasty surprise when the missiles launched from a base they couldn't see. "Weapons status." He didn't need to ask, but protocol required it.
"Missiles show green. Final safeties off. Overlapping shields synchronized, ready for firing in thirty seconds."
"Target the big ones. Final checks on plasma and rails confirmed and online. They will come for us. They can't leave an enemy at their backs."
One hundred sixty-two class five, long-ranged naquada-enhanced nuclear AIM-136 space capable air-to-air missiles, passed through the shields of the of the twenty-seven 304s. seconds later, another wave of naquada- enhanced type four missiles followed from the remaining 303's type IIIs. At the same time, Drakh scanners detected a massive missile swarm coming from the planet's moon. Their rear was exposed. They had to respond quickly, or they were dead. A full third of their rear forces turned to defend themselves against the attack, even as the other Drakh began using their CIWS to stop the flood of missiles racing to destroy them.
The Drakh raiders instantly began firing their short-ranged quantum beam anti-missile defense lasers and cannons. Humans in both realities used missiles, and it was expected. However, the sheer numbers of the incoming projectiles were daunting.
The lead commander saw what was coming. He and his raiders fired at the missiles, expecting to blow through the swarm coming at them. Their armor was strong enough to resist some of the missiles, but not if they were the enhanced nukes these humans seemed to be so fond of. And to their mounting rage, the missiles were attempting to dodge the Drakh defenses, making them much harder to destroy. Beams hit their targets and an instant later the Drakh panicked. Quantum beams took too long to kill them, and they were homing in on their evasive patterns, and the raiders didn't have time to analyze the shielded missiles,
Those missiles began ripping into the raiders, who lost all semblance of cohesion. The missile shredded armor, tearing into the bodies of their ships, destroying them in nuclear fire. In seconds, half the raiders were gone, and other missiles were heading towards the destroyers who were already putting out a tremendous amount of counter fire, with some of it hitting damaged raiders, eviscerating the unlucky ships and crews. Drack targeting computers was fast, just as fast and efficient as the Minbari systems of old. But they were having as much difficulty tracking the incoming as had the raiders. Commanders and gunnery as one cursed as they understood that the missiles had stealth capability. The destroyers threw up a wall of particle and quantum beam counterfire just before they hit. While others did the same, trying to stop the rear incoming missiles from shredding them from behind.
The Drakh commander wasn't taking any chances if he was to fulfill his mission. He was well aware of the cloaking abilities used in this universe. His masters and his scientists worked hard to counter the cloak and those shields. The shields were easier as they had samples to work with and several ships were already starting to use them. But the cloaking devices were difficult to counter and even the masters could not easily detect those vessels. Tachyon scanning held promise, but that required more study and using such scanners was expensive and labor intensive. Tachyon generators burned out easily. But his technicians were working on it.
Almost all of his forces, minus his reserves, were now committed. The Tau'ri were a true fighting force, but they had to be limited. All reports indicated that less than twenty years ago, they had less than five serviceable ships. It was deemed impossible that they could have more than seventy-five to one hundred ships to throw into this battle. But the insanely designed space station, using its powerful beams to lay waste to anything that came near, was impressive, he admitted viciously. Building that station had to be an enormous drain on their economic and technical resources.
Overwhelming them was the logical choice to sweep them aside and advance the Shadow planet killer to destroy the planet. The numbers of his ships would force them to reveal and use any reserves. His masters would take care of any serious threats, but this was the Drakh's battle to show that they were worthy of fighting at their side against an enemy that was stronger than anticipated. The ha'taks and smaller Earth ships were still busy engaging twice their numbers, and the Drakh were having a hard time trying to stay alive. He allocated several more ships to help, but the engaged squadron was on their own.
Surprisingly, his masters chose that moment to intervene, and his prey found themselves on the defensive. He couldn't help but be proud that they had come to help as his other forces surged forward. But he also felt waves of shame because his forces needed their masters' help.
Drakh cruisers, mixed with destroyers and Raiders surged forward. Seconds later he was very concerned as cloaked ships protecting Earth appeared. Angered by the numbers, the Drakh commander ordered his forces to expand the line, knowing what was coming. But it was too late. The fleet fired at a range that was more than twice that of Drakh capabilities. Bright blue-white beams erupted from the defending ships, followed by a massive number of fast-moving missiles. The beams struck the Drakh and simply devastated a quarter of the fleet, erasing them from existence. The Drakh were struck dumbfounded as survivors tried to close the range in order to retaliate against their tormentors. The screens were filled with the debris of ruined ships, which blocked the rain of naquada type VI nuclear missiles that slammed into the next wave of ships less than a second later. One hundred twenty-four nuclear missiles penetrated the second formation of ships, and the result was equally devastating.
The Drakh commander had lost half of his fleet's first strike group in less than two minutes. It was intolerable, and he felt a wave of fear as the enemy ships advanced on his own ships, who were trying to regroup to defend themselves. Months of preparations and months to get here and already he was contemplating leaving, humiliating himself and his people in front of his masters. But his masters had been watching, and they were issuing orders for him and his fleet to get out of the way.
The shadow planet killer, large enough to encompass a planet, opened up. The entire globe began glowing as its system activated. Energy discharges arced across the mega-structure. A large aperture appeared and the Shadow planet killer open, releasing its payload. Thousands and thousands of missiles, each carrying a nuclear payload of three gigatons each, poured out, heading for the defenders of Earth and the planet. The shadow planet killer's primary attack was to englobe a world, and once surrounding the world, it would release the missile payload. Those missiles would penetrate into the crust and detonate in the heart of the core of the planet, de0stabilizing the core and breaking up the planet. But it had other abilities as well, one that it was employing now.
The Drakh forces followed the missiles while the second planet killer eased from jump space into normal space, prepared to take action as necessary. The Shadows weren't far behind, ready to pick off the survivors.
That was when the five Asgard ships made their appearance, confronting the Shadow mothers directly. The two battle crabs fighting the young race ships, broke off and joined the other eight mothers. The Shadows had a two-to-one advantage, but they were weary. These ships were different, unknown. The species within those ships possessed an arrogance that, in some ways, reminded them of the Vorlons. They had a confidence that put the Shadows on edge. They needed to be destroyed, just like the Terrans who helped ruin the great debate.
The shadow who possessed the Great Eye, surveyed this new enemy with care. Perhaps they could be used before they were eliminated. Perhaps…
"What do you want?" the lead Shadow decided to ask these who interfered.
"You have attacked our allies. We want you to leave and never come back if you value your lives," came the reply. "Your forces have attacked the UCW. We will respond accordingly."
You speak from strength you imagine you have. Leave the world to its fate and live to fight another time. We have walked the stars for a million years. Our knowledge is beyond understanding, our power, infinite. You and your race dare to defy us? You will die. Morne for your people when they witness the power of the Dancers of Darkness."
"You may try to destroy us, as others have tried. They have failed.
"You contest against us and you will die," the Shadow said.
"The Asgard are not so easily killed."
"The Shadows froze for a split second. "The Vorlons destroyed the Asgard in their war," responded a much more cautious Shadow commander.
"They were close to achieving their objective," Thor growled. "However, when we blew up their sun and destroyed their world and their fleets, they fled and, as the humans would say, didn't quite finish the job. You are allies of the Vorlons, and we will offer you the same considerations as we offered them."
"We are Shadow, and no friend to the Vorlons. You interfered with the great debate. We will remove you from existence!" the Shadow screamed in anger and now fear.
No other words were said as both sides went after each other with everything they had. The Shadows had a two-to-one advantage, but it changed when two of the UCW Auroras jumped into the battle. The Shadows were not pleased, as they now fought for their lives.
The UCw fleet protecting Earth shifted from the Drakh, who were now moving away from the missiles, to the incoming swarm. Without exception, everyone looked on in awe as missiles were swatted from the sky.
But despite the defense, thousands of nuclear, high-penetration missiles were getting through.
The Imperial city of Yu-huang
Lord Astartea, acknowledged by all of the Ashtorath Lords as Supreme System Lord waited in her throne room, surrounded by her Jaffa guards, her brother and sister and Ashtoreth and Atargatis, and her human tay'skel Myrana. The woman was Astartea's genetic counterpart. Both were bound together and Myrana had power. If Astartea was the Supreme System Lord, the Myrana was her adjutant. At her word, people and worlds died, and her authority was overruled only but the Ashtorath Lords.
Three representatives of the UCW entered the massive room. Two guards escorted the elder Tau'ri female. The olive-skinned woman looked calm, if not relaxed. She was dressed in a dark gray pants suit and carried a briefcase that had been carefully searched before the three were allowed to enter the main hall. Her UCW guards snapped off a smart salute to the Lord while the diplomat bowed her head in respect.
Ashtoreth wasn't pleased. To him, the fact that the Tau'ri weren't on their knees, begging for mercy, was an insult. By their actions, they were demanding respect. Atargatis stepped forward, prepared to give the order to slay the diplomats where they stood.
Astartea stopped him with a glance.
Undeterred, the woman addressed Myrana as known protocol dictated. "From the United Coalition of Worlds, I bid the Ashtorath System Lords and the Empire greetings."
Myrana, not to be undone, acknowledged the greeting. But she was irritated and angry. And she was frightened. "Why have the Tau'ri come here?" she demanded. "Our two empires will one day go to war, or have you come to plead for mercy?"
Norma Hudon merely cocked her head, not taking the bait. "I am here to inform you that the United Coalition of Worlds is now in a state of war." She paused for a moment, letting it sink in. for an instant, the Ashtorath lords were frightened. "We have been attacked and we will respond accordingly. We are informing you of this as a curtesy. This enemy is unknown at his time, but we will discover their identity and we will deal with them. We know that you are aware that the Tok'ra base was attacked and destroyed. We also know that you have evidence that several protected planets populations were attacked, and their cities wiped out."
"We care nothing for the Tok'ra, and we rejoice that they are no longer an irritation to the Goa'uld." Myrana was outwardly calm, but she could feel the raw fear and that of her throne sister. If the UCW suspected the Ashtorath of killing them all, then there would certainly be war. But they weren't responsible. The woman who called herself Anna Sheridan, and her associates, handed the heads of Tok'ra to them as a gift. The Ashtorath didn't expect or want that gift, although they weren't displeased. But that gift of heads was some kind of trap and only now were they just beginning to discover what kind of trap it was.
"We did not destroy the Tok'ra," she said a little too quickly. "They are in UCW territory, and we do not violate your space unless it serves our purpose."
"The UCW is aware that you are not responsible, otherwise we would already be at war." Norma was being as intimidating as the Goa'uld were. "There is a power that has instigated actions, testing us. We have our suspicions which have not been as yet confirmed. If it is who we believe them to be, then it is not only us, but you, who are under threat as well. This enemy attacked us, knowing that we would immediately suspect you. A rash action on either side could have started a war." She paused, looking at a hostile Myrana and the other system lords. "How much do you know of the Asgard war, fifteen years earlier?"
Now Myrana was confused. They had no real knowledge of that war other than multiple worlds containing humans, and including the home world of the Asgard, was destroyed by a powerful enemy. Lord Yu, the last of the surviving system lords, was concerned enough to place his entire domain on alert. But the details were never uncovered by Ba'al or his children.
"And you would tell Us this fable for a price?" Astartea snapped, speaking for the first time. She didn't like the Tau'ri standing in her presence, and she hated the fact that she couldn't simply dismiss the irritating group of humans.
Diplomatic attaché Hudon turned to face the leader directly. "We are not selling this information. We thought you might be interested in the history of a battle that would have escalated into a galaxy-wide conflict. Knowledge is power and as for what may be coming, you will need that knowledge to survive. It will explain why I am here."
All three Ashtorath, thoughtful now, remained silent. By unspoken agreement, Myrana spoke to the woman. "It would be a waste of Our time for you not to perform your duty. You have Our permission to continue your fable."
Norma nodded to Myrana and then to the lords, who were trying their best to look uninterested. "fifteen years ago, a powerful race arrived in our sector of space. They were an immensely old species who found our space a fertile new ground to start a project. They were quickly discovered by the Asgard. These aliens called the Vorlons initiated talks with the Asgard. The Asgard was aware of their origins, but never had any official contact with them. The Vorlons told the Asgard that they considered them a middle-aged race, worthy of one day becoming what they termed a First One. However, their technological development and approaches to the younger races were incorrect. There were two issues that required correction. They told the Asgard that they must abandon their technology and begin over again, following the ways that the Vorlons believed to be the correct path to maturity." Norma paused for a moment, allowing the lords to digest the information. "The second condition was that Humanity was too chaotic and could not be properly conditioned and for order to be established, Humanity had to be eliminated for the greater good of all."
Ashtoreth laughed. "The Asgard did not approve of their arrogance, did they?" he laughed. "That is how the war began," he announced.
"The Asgard misunderstood the seriousness of the Vorlons. What they didn't know was that the Vorlons knew where the Asgard's new home world was located and had already begun destroying human inhabited worlds. Three days later, the Vorlon planet killers arrived in the Asgard system and tore apart their world. The Asgard were still recovering from the Replicator War which, as you know, were responsible for wiping out the remaining System Lords."
She again stopped for a moment as the lords glared at her. The replicators had killed most of the remaining System Lords, but Earth was responsible for killing just as many, if not more, of the most powerful Goa'uld. Norma didn't mention that, but the Lords weren't happy at being reminded of Tau'ri's success. Not that they really cared. Earth's success allowed to form the Ashtorath to ascend to power.
"Millions of Asgard were killed before they could mount a defense. In the early stages of the war, the Asgard was pushed back. They then discovered that the Vorlons intended to destroy every Human within a forty thousand light-year radius. This included your people. the Vorlons made no distinction. Earth was told of the situation and the threat. We immediately gathered our forces and joined the Asgard. By the time the Asgard were able to establish an effective defense, three worlds were destroyed completely besides the Asgard home world. The battle of PX1197, destroyed a star system. With so many losses, the Vorlons began re-evaluating their position. They were an old, very long-lived race. The loss of so many of their people to what they considered a middle race frightened them. The second battle, which lasted two days, the Vorlons lost decisively. The aliens believed our small ships wouldn't be a factor in the battle," she said. "They were wrong! We gave them a reason to hate us, instead of merely believing us an inconvenience!"
Myrana felt her sister's fury and wariness. The Tau'ri were flaunting their power by her words.
"The battle was immense enough that it captured the attention of Lord Yu, the last survivor of the Great system Lords of old. He contacted us. We told him what was happening, and he was so concerned that he gathered his entire fleet, fully prepared to join the Asgard and Earth. Two Goa'uld works were savaged by the Vorlons in their retaliation against the Asgard and out of revenge for Earth's resistance. Those worlds were unaware of the conflict. Lord Yu understood the danger. But the Asgard attacked and destroyed a major Vorlon fleet. They chased the Vorlons back into their territory and killed the majority of the Vorlon people, forcing the few survivors to flee. But the damage was done. Only a few Asgard survived," Norma lied. "We believed them to be extinct. However, we have recently discovered that we were in error. It doesn't matter. We were given the responsibility and capability to continue the Protected Planet's Treaty and we take that responsibility very, very seriously."
"I am telling the empire this because we believe another group of those aliens, either Vorlon or perhaps their associates, have returned to our area of space. We believe they are the ones responsible for killing the Tok'ra colony and several worlds under our protection. In my briefcase, I brought data and images of this unidentified enemy. And we offer this to you freely. We also believe we will be in battle with them shortly. I am here with a warning. If these are the same species, then every Human in this galaxy is under threat, not just the Tau'ri. They have already instigated an attempted war between us and are not to be trusted, which I am sure you understand. The UCW will not allow this species or these allies of the Vorlons to establish a presence in this galaxy. We also come with a warning. Be aware that they are not what they seem and if you join with them or try to take advantage of this situation, The UCW will consider this as an act of war."
"You come here threatening us," Astartea hissed. "I should kill you where you stand."
Norma looked at the enraged lord. "It would not be In your interest to do so. Whether we like it or not, diplomacy keeps the lines of communications opened between our two governments. It lessens the threat of an unnecessary war. We don't like each other, but we know if war can be avoided, then it is in the interest of all of us. Diplomatic attaches must be able to perform their duties so that the lines of communication can remain open. We do not want war, and neither do you," she said and silently added, for now. "We do not wish to go to war with your people. But if you join these aliens, then prepare yourself," Norma stated, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The UCW representative offered the briefcase to one of the attendants, who, after receiving permission by Myrana, took it.
"Thank you for your time." The two guards again saluted, while Hudon bowed slightly to the System Lords in the room. She then bowed to Myrana, who reluctantly returned the gesture.
The three were escorted from the room and allowed to return to their ship for their journey home.
Almost immediately, the four the Ashtorath leaders retired to Astartea's private chambers.
"Do they know?" Myrana asked.
Her Goa'uld sister looked wary. "I do not know," she growled as her eyes flashed. "The empire was pulled into a trap! The gift from Anna and her associates could start a war with the Tau'ri and we almost fell into it. We would be blamed."
"We must prepare for war with the UCW!"
Astartea wasn't so sure. "The Tau'ri came here to tell us. But their warning aided us. We will not go to war with them, but a true enemy is revealed to us. We will not be deceived again. We must remain on alert, but we will not direct our wrath towards the Tau'ri. their time will come, but for now, they are useful for us. The Huron Human was correct. We need to keep the lines of communication with them. If what they say is true, we are all threatened. Open the briefcase and let us all read the data and decide for ourselves."
"I did not know Lord Yu was so worried, he would join with the Asgard. This changes everything."
The first image they saw was that of a shadow mothership. "What abomination is this?" Atargatis roared.
Astartea winced, as did Myrana. Her brother was always loud, even when he whispered. But she agreed with the sentiment. The black spider-like ship was an abomination and something she didn't want to see up close, unless she had heavy support ships already firing. Then there were the creatures killed in the imposter Jaffa Ha'tak. What they did, how they fed, disgusted her. Neither image suggested that these things could be controlled.
"Where is Anath? He should be here to discuss this with us."
"HE will be here shortly.," Ashtoreth said. "The Asgard still live?" her eyes glowed in anger and fear. "The Tau'ri knew! They have joined together once more!"
"What will we do?"
"We wait for now. I see no advantage for the Tau'ri to lie about the aliens. We will destroy the Tau'ri for our reasons, when we are ready, not being manipulated by someone else's plans. I am not pleased about the possibilities of being unwitting servants to such aliens, who control such ships. Is that why we responded to the Anne creature? I still remember. How she felt."
"When we find them,. They must be destroyed," Myrana announced.
"We will destroy them and take their technology for ourselves," said Ashtorath. "But first, we allow the Tau'ri to fight them. We will watch and observe. If we strike, then it will be at a time of our choosing."
"And what if this Anna Sheridan comes back?"
There was silence among the Goa'uld leaders, as they struggled to come up with a plan.
TBC
