Record keeping: Hello to everyone. There are some things that this chapter will strive to clarify in the story. First, the Colonial diplomatic delegation fleet has been on earth just about 5 weeks now. The Colonials have been at war against the EA for about two months. And the tribes are not sure what to believe at this point about Earth. They have been in communication with the fleet for about 30 hours. What they have learned is frankly unbelievable. They do not quite understand what they are hearing,

The communicators the Colonials have, is designed for long distance comms. It does not have the ability to transmit data packs or videos, so they can't transmit detailed reports. Therefore, what they have told Adar and his people have no way of verifying what is being told to them. Earth may be the original world, the 13th or an unknown tribe thought of as Earth. Or maybe earth Alliance is the real 13th. And by the way, what is the relationship between the Terrans and the Earth Alliance?

Then, there is the technological power the Terrans and the EA have. They really want that but at this point they have no idea of how advanced the earthers and EA are. As I said, it's only been a day and a half for the Colonials to speak to the delegation fleet. Their attitudes have to have a chance to even begin to adjust. believe me, they are planning for the future (the exact same way they were before the delegation fleet was set off to find Earth).

How do you describe a planet killer that can expand to surround a planet, especially without being able to send video and detailed reports? Oh, and the colonials and EA have no idea about transporter tech the Terrans have. So, there is a lot forthcoming.

There was a question a reviewer asked: Which is better SG or ST technology. Ah, the eternal question. For me personally, it is comparing apples to apples. The SG were given and discovered Ancient, etc, technology and are learning to use it. It is millions of years old and they've had it for less than 40 years. They are strong, but very young. They are just beginning to connect with their alien allies and other humans. They are a 21st century people who are taking small steps to a wider world. They are learning quickly, but it will take a couple of generations to begin to hit their stride.

In ST, the people are learning from scratch over three hundred years of learning, failing and developing their own technology. I can't say which is better. I can say that they are each growing in their own way and doing a good job of it, in spite of forces trying to destroy them.

Part II. Part III will be coming. Gotta get to it. AG

Roads Paved in shadows

Chapter fifty-nine

Cyranus Star system

Planet Caprica-Athena One

Office of the President

(Translated from Colonial Standard)

"One day," President Adar whispered to himself. The man was the only one in the room, a blessing since for the last thirty hours, the room had been crowded with people. Now he had a few hours to himself. Two hours of quiet was a blessing. "One day," he repeated. "Everything's changed."

He was talking to himself, but he didn't mind. In some ways, it gave him a sense of peace. There weren't other voices around o assault his ears. In the quiet, he had an epiphany.

Silence was golden. That silence allowed him to remember the latest meeting so that it would remain fresh in his mind.

He was the President of the Twelve colonies of Kobol, a position he was elected to for two terms. Then he lost, and now, he was back in office, not elected but forced back into the position by circumstances. Adar was just beginning to enjoy his retirement, but like so many good things, it didn't last. But never in his wildest nightmares could he have believed this would happen.

The Colonies were steeped in the worst crisis it had ever been since the evacuation from Kobol. Nevertheless, he had to plan for the future as well as the present. He was an optimist and believed that the Colonies would weather this storm and would rise again. Earth, however, was the unknown factor. The people were different from the Colonies. Thery were powerful from what he was being told. It needed to be controlled, or the tribes would be influenced negatively. The Earther born were monotheists. Who knows what else they were. Their presence could harm his people's culture. Earth needed to reunite with them, not contaminate them. Reflecting on his previous talks with Admiral Augustus Cain, he acknowledged that the nuisance was correct. As a junior member, earth and the Colony worlds associated with it, needed to know its position in the overall scheme of things. It had to be done politely, of course. Violence was unacceptable. He and the Colonies had to approach this carefully, and legally, so that there would be no misunderstandings.

XXX

The President had a little time for himself, and he decided not to waste it. Quickly, he pulled out his private diary. The one that no one would see until he was dead and buried-however long that would be, given the circumstances, and began writing. He smirked a little. If anyone ever found and released this history of his life as leader of Humanity, they would have to translate it first if they could properly read what he'd written. They'd have to translate his handwritings, which was utterly atrocious. His aides always complained about it, but he didn't care, because he made no attempts to improve upon it. it was something he and doctors shared, and that thought always made him smile. Bad handwriting covered a multitude of problems.

Three hours earlier

President Richard Adar, Admiral Corman, Lead Admiral (re-activated) Augustus Cain, And General Radimos Howard, sat, facing each other in the president's private office. The reason they were there was simple. They needed to discuss the most recent communication with the members of the diplomatic fleet. This was the third communication in the last thirty hours and there was indeed a lot to talk about. Most of the information gleaned was general, as both sides agreed not to go into much detail, as they weren't sure if the lines of communication were indeed secured. No one wanted Earth Alliance listening in on the subspace transmissions. Theoretically, it shouldn't be possible, but neither side was taking any chances. The Terran's communicator was holographic, in impressive device, but it couldn't transmit data, other than vocal and visual. Adar believed that to be a safeguard. The problem was, the information was frustratingly incomplete and wouldn't be complete until the Terrans arrived in system and had helped driven the Earth Alliance faction out.

"Let's start from the beginning," Adar said. He rubbed his eyes. He was tired, but the subject was exciting, and it was very relevant to the situation at hand. It pertained not only to the survival of the Colonies, but to its future as well. He decided that the military officials would be represented in the first portion of the latest meeting. The pontiffs and religious orders would be allowed to participate after the more militarily tensive info was discussed. "What new information do we know abut Earth?"

Corman began. "From all three reports, the summation is that Earth is a paradise world. The faction there really hit the gold cubit. The wildlife, agricultural and natural resources rival Caprica. The world looks as if it were made for humanity. There are more than eight billion people there and there is room for plenty more. If we are forced to retreat there, they would have room to spare. That is not including their other colony worlds, which have significantly smaller populations. These worlds have significant resources that we can easily utilize, but Earth is the planet of choice. Furthermore, the system has an abundance of tylium, enough in their outer belts to keep us supplied for decades, and they don't use it. The other human worlds haven't been properly studied yet, it's only been fie weeks and our people need to begin surveying them after they finish with Earth. Isahan believes this would extend their mission as long as another year and a half. Depending on the state of the war, we will have to send more people there to do a proper analysis of all of the human UCW planets. This will be needed so we can determine how best to incorporate those worlds into the Colonies."

"The problem is," Cain interjected, "is that they don't want to be incorporated into our system. They have their own way of life and they won't want to change."

Adar shook his head. "I don't foresee that as a huge problem for the immediate future. The Terrans are an intelligent people and sooner rather than later, they will see the wisdom of rejoining their cousins. We can set up a series of legal documents that can ease them into the system. I want to see a moratorium on their monotheism for fifty years. It can then be phased out as they learn about the true religion and heritage of their forgotten culture."

"It won't work," Cain hissed. "Kunningham made that clear. It'll just antagonize them. They're just as stubborn as the Gemenon and Tauron. And it really shouldn't matter what they are. What does matter is that they pulled us into this war! They owe us!"

'We'll get to that," Adar told him. "Back to the subject at hand."

"Yes sir. Not only does Earth have the coalition worlds, they have the worlds of the protective planets to police. 'Police' isn't the correct word," Corman muttered. "These human-populated worlds are watched over by the Terrans. Unless it's a world-wide disaster happening, or if someone is trying to conquer their world, the Terrans will not interfere or uplift them. The majority of these worlds are pre-industrial and some haven't discovered how to use electricity yet. The UCW will not help them. Instead, they want those people to find their own way."

General Howard squirmed in his seat. The short, graying brunette was obviously confused and angered by the Terran's attitude. "What is wrong with Earth? I've heard the reports like everyone else and I agree with Isahan. Those people need help, and they need to understand that they already have a culture thousands of years old. Earth could help them, bring them up to current levels in a very short amount of time."

"This gets to the second point. "The Terrans don't believe in the gods. In fact, they believe the gods are either false of products of our imagination."

"They didn't say that," Howard countered.

"Not exactly. But they did say that the Goa'uld imitated the true gods and are now hated across the galaxy because of it.

"The people of those planets only know the false gods and are afraid of them," Adar finished. "We can fix that when this war is over and we've started to rebuild."

"I can see the Terrans point," Scoffed Cain. "I can see that we would exploit them, given half a chance., But the Terrans are doing the same thing. Those worlds are being prepared to be Earth-centric, not Colonial-centric. That will be a problem if Earth doesn't acquiesce to the rule of Colonial law, as they should. They've made it clear that they won't. Kunningham hasn't gone into detail, but we do know that they have shields, heavy nukes and energy weapons. They have massive amounts of technology the colonies need and they won't share. I can see it now. If we abandoned them, they're going to make us beg for it! and we can't because we need them!"

"I don't think they're that petty. Lead admiral."

Cain wasn't listening. "Earth has said no to just about everything the diplomatic fleet has requested of it. It makes me think they are afraid of us. Have they been spying n us? Maybe. If they have, then it's because they are worried. At least they were before this war started."

Corman thought for a moment. "I agree," he finally said. "If they were spying, then they already know we were this close to sending a fleet to Earth to convince them that it was in their best interests to reunify with us without much argument. That must have frightened them. Our continual presence would have changed their way of life and we know that such changes frighten people."

"What little we know, makes them seem alien to our way of life," responded Adar. "And, that is the next point for discussion. When Earth joins us, what happens to the alien contingent if the UCW? I personally do not have a problem with them. I am not comfortable yet because I've never met one. But I would love to meet and interact with one of the lizards. My wife, and a few hundred here in Athena One, would not."

Corman nodded. "A lot of our people are curious, but a significant number are outright hostile. The holographic image on the lizard was enough to have people falling on their knees, begging the gods to destroy the creatures. Their attitudes present a problem, because Earth is surrounded by five different alien type…"

"Six types," said Cain. "Seven if you count the altered Humans. Those are just the ones we know of. What we don't know is their military capabilities, strength, numbers and technological knowledge. We don't know how they really feel about humans. They may work with the Earther born, but who knows how they will feel about us? That could well be a problem down the road."

"I agree, not that I am not going to give them a chance," Adar announced. "We're going to have to establish rules of conduct between our people. They could be great allies. However, we will have to contain their expansion into Human territories. The alien communities on Earth and other Human worlds in the UCW will have to be removed if we are to establish a viable Human social structure among the tribes, old and new."

Cain huffed. "And what if they don't want to? I mean the Earther groups and the aliens?"

Richard smiled, although it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I am sure reason, and properly applied diplomatic pressure will hold sway. I don't like saying this, but the re-established Quorum and religious communities will put Earth under a tremendous amount of pressure to come to their senses. And I am positive that blood will join with blood in these matters. They have forgotten their heritages, whether they are the Thirteenth or the original world. That doesn't matter. What is important is we lay the groundwork for our people to come together as one culture, one unity. History has shown that division amongst the people was doomed to failure."

"Nice political speech," Agustus almost snarled. "You're forgetting that half our people couldn't care less about the gods, and their opinions. Our belief is mainly cultural. I can't say that about the Sagittarians or Gemenons, but most people won't care. They'll want to feel safe from our enemies. They'll want food on the table and be able to sleep at night. You know as well as I do, if we're forced to flee to Earth, our culture and way of life will change. You're no fool, Mister President. No one here believes that if we retreat to Earth, they will change their culture to please us. It will be the opposite. Except for our more conservative tribes. No, they'll go crazy and start a war between us and the UCW, one we will lose in our present condition!"

The President was angry now. This was yet another one of his clashes with the Lead admiral. The two of them had never gotten along, and this was just one of the latest in a serious of arguments between them throughout the years.

"We've lost half our people," snapped Adar. "Our economy is in ruins and the enemy is stripping us naked! Our culture is all we have to unify us. The belief in the gods is what makes us Colonials. Humanity, and all of its various colonies, wherever they are, share that same heritage. The Earthers will come to understand this, and we will help them to do so, not by conflict and argument, but logical, truthful persuasion and patience. Our people are strong and we can convince them, given time. In this matter, the gods are on our side. We will prevail."

"You're dreaming, Adar. This isn't about religion or culture. It's about control! When we met the Terrans for the first time, our imaginary control was broken. That fool commander fired on them because of his religious ignorance and bigotry. That little Earth ship tore a battlestar squadron a new one, and we stood there, looking impotent," the man snarled. "I got there too late, regretted it ever since. That wasn't about religion, or piracy," he scoffed. "It was about establishing control. They humiliated us and I wanted to stop it. In that moment when our ships floundered around, with holes shot up their tailpipes, I knew that we had lost control. I wanted to establish dominance before they got away. Our first contact with them placed us in a vulnerable position. One colony versus twelve and we looked weak."

"The diplomatic fleet was sent as a statement of respect," Corman jumped in. "We used all available information to formulate a plan that would convince them that we weren't a threat and at the same time, show our strength."

"You see how good that's turned out?" countered Cain. "I thought Kunningham could do the job. Gods, that was a waste of time," he growled. "We don't know the UCW's military capability and yes, I agree we should not discuss the information over a non-secured transmission. We have the transmitters, but are they secured as the lizard said? I don't know, and better safe than sorry. But you've heard the reports. The Terrans say no to everything. To me, that means either they are afraid of us, or they don't care. Either way, we have lost control. We went there to prove our power and authority, as well as to pave the road for reunification. And let's not forget, we wanted their shields and beam weapons and other technologies they could share. "I use the word share," the man said coldly. "They pulled us into this war. They owe us big."

"The president was trying to remain diplomatic, but his nerves were being frayed. There was too much he had to deal with. Cain's attitude was by no means helpful. The man's abruptness was the reason why Goesel had forced him into an early retirement. Neither he nor Adar liked him.

"When this is over, we can ask for a form of compensation," General Howard grumbled. "They could compensate us by giving us a few of their capital ships. I don't know the level of quality, given what we saw of their original patrol ship. But we can certainly upgrade them to Colonial spec. they'll be useful as we rebuild after the war."

"That's the least they can do," Corman said, agreeing with the general. "We will need their agricultural plants and animals to rebuild our stocks. That we can acquire easily. Kunningham's crew have already acquired stocks for testing and that will help us get back on our feed without being charged too much by the Terrans. Plus, they have an abundance of tylium ore. They don't even need that. We can add that to the compensation package. First, we need to look at our resources. This war with the Earth Alliance faction is bleeding us dry."

"That's a problem we'll get to," said Howard. "What worries me are the amount of resources needed to get them out the system and give us some breathing room. What few reports we have, all indicate the Earth Alliance forces are increasing in numbers every day. That supports Helena's belief that they're using us as a staging area. If we assume the Terrans have sufficient firepower to bring to bear against them, we don't know how much they'll need, or if they'll even have enough ships to kick them out of our system. They have just fought a major war trying to protect their system. They are battered, and exhausted, and Earth still needs protection with what little resources they have left. When they come, they may not have enough to do the job."

"Both Kunningham and Isahan seem confident that they can fight off Earth Alliance," Corman said.

"But at what cost?" Adar asked. "Earth was attacked with two planet killers. From what Kunningham said, those things were at least twice the size of our Victory class space station. That's thirty kilometers across. Those had thousands of missiles," he said, worry etching his brow. How many lives, how many ships did they lose, fighting two of those things off and the enemy fleet?"?"

Everybody was quiet as they thought about the cost of protecting Earth. Cain was the first to speak. "They have enough to help us. Between our reserves and their fleet, we can make the Earth forces wish they were never born."

"Then are you suggesting we wipe Earth Alliance out. Commit genocide of a colony of man?" asked Howard. This hadn't come as a surprise and he had no qualms about doing just that.

"I don't have a problem with that," Cain announced. "Some people have to be put down like rabid dogs. This qualifies."

"I agree," Corman said, adding his weight to the others.

"There's no choice in the matter. It's survival or extermination. In this case, the Presidency agrees. However, if they surrender, not retreat," he added, "Then we will offer mercy on the crews, but not the leaders."

"Too soft," grumbled an irritated Augustus Cain, low enough so that no one heard him. Louder: "What about the Cylons? Are you going to let them go, too?"

Adar shot him a hostile look. "We cannot trust them, even in their weakened state. We find them and destroy them all."

The Earthers have Cylon prisoners according to the Diplomatic fleet. What about them?" Corman asked.

"We cannot and will not allow AIs to continue, no matter what form they appear in. they are too much of a threat. Our traditional enemies need to be removed once and for all. This includes the ones the Terrans have. We won't take any chances with them."

The Terrans might disagree," Howard said.

Adar's angry eyes flashed in fear and determination. "This is non-negotiable. They are a Colonial problem, and we will dispense justice accordingly. Those clones were grown from real Colonial citizens. The souls of the originals are screaming for justice. We will dispense justice accordingly. The Terrans have no say in this matter."

"Dispensing justice will have to wait until later," Corman said. "Admiral Cain and her squadron are on hold until we know when the Earthers are coming. We will coordinate with them and perhaps save what's left of our close-range shipyards and deal a decisive blow to the enemy." There was a moment of quiet as he continued. "If that doesn't work, our contingency plan is in place. Our ships are ready to take us out of the system, via the Astoria jump protocols. We can evacuate everyone at Athena One. Bases that have not been hit yet are either in the final stages of preparation or are at Condition One awaiting the orders to proceed."

"I'm impressed we could even contact them," noted Howard, "without alerting enemy forces."

The meeting continued another hour before the others joined the group.

High Priestess Livia Stomata and the representatives of the religious enclaves strode in, looking sour. "Mister President, we are ready when you give the word."

Adar nodded, perhaps a bit too slowly for the woman's taste. "The evacuation is on hold. We need to find out when the Terrans plan to arrive. Once we know that, we can adjust our plans accordingly."

Livia wasn't happy. "If they departed this very second, it would take months for them to get here. Admiral Kunningham believes their flight system is superior," she huffed. "But that is conjecture. If it is true, it might take them weeks to get here. We are all still at risk. We should evacuate while we can, and save what's left, before the Earth Alliance tribe decides to kill us all."

"Adar sighed. "Your points are valid, High Priestess, but if we abandon the people now, the consequences will be significant if the Terrans arrive and we're gone. The instant we leave, The EA tribe will no doubt strike at our worlds, and finish what they started. They believe they have the advantage. They don't see us being able to effectively strike back. Their overconfidence gives us a little time, time we can use to save more people when we do leave.

"You are putting a lot of faith in a world filled with monotheists," she almost spat. "How can you be sure if we can trust them at all?"

"They're One God believers, not demons," muttered Cain. "Deal with it."

"Livia and the others gave him a look that could heard melted steel. He could have cared less. "You heathen heretic," she snapped back. "You heard the report from my niece. They do not believe in the gods. How can we trust such men?"

Adar sighed before his voice turned to stone. "I heard your niece, and I heard the others. Earth's religious structure is complex, but they also didn't attack the delegation fleet because we believed in the gods they dismiss as fakes. You heard what happened on Earth, and the surrounding areas. The people there have no idea what the truth is. They should be taught the truth not condemned by it."

Priestess Stomata stood back. "You insult the very gods themselves!"

"And perhaps, I'm right," he countered. "Your nephew, President Goesel, is dead. I didn't want this job. It was his. But I'm here now and I will do what is best for our people. We will wait."

"We need to leave now,. You're making a mistake."

"If there is a chance, I will not leave billions to die."

"Our culture, our way of life has to survive. Even if we have to flee to the world of the Apellai." Her voice shook in fury. "We need to save what we can now."

General Howard took the time to really look at the elder Priestess. Beneath her fury, he could see raw fear. The others had that same look of desperation and terror. Using the excuse of saving their culture was just that, an excuse. He decided not to voice his observations, because he understood how they felt.

Cain asked a question. "If we're forced to flee to Earth, Stomata, what are you going to do?" She bristled at his not using her honorific. "Your authority will drop down to zero. What would you do to advance the Colonial cause? This is after your people take the medical to step foot on Earth, of course. We may have to settle on one of the lizard worlds," he said after a bemused moment's contemplation.

Corman and the others twitched. Augustus was going out of his way to antagonize everyone. Livia's eyes went wide, and she swallowed his baiting whole.

"They would never do that to their own cousins! We would never set foot on such a place! Earth will welcome us. We will build our temples there and consecrate that world. Our temples will rise to the heavens and the ignorant monotheists will flock to the one true religion!"

"Everyone," Adar said, meaning Livia. "Calm down. Let's prepare for what's in front of us right now. We'll find out when they'll come and we will be ready. We will not abandon our people," he told everyone. "Not until we are forced to."

"We will contact them again in a few hours," Corman told everyone. "Update our status and let everyone know."

"What about the Cylons?" Livia asked. "We cannot allow those abominations to walk freely among us. Will the Thirteenth Tribe destroy them?"

"The Terran Apellai may not be the Thirteenth, or so I've heard," Cain mentioned.

"Blasphemy," one of the members of the religious enclaves snapped.

"Thirteenth or not, I am positive they will eliminate our traditional enemies," Corman stated with conviction.

"The Terrans have a lot of work to do, don't they," said a Very sarcastic Augustus Cain.

Adar restrained himself.