Battlestar Galactica / Stargate SG-1 Crossover
"The Thirteenth Colony" Series
Part Two
Choices
By SG07

* The author's notes have been moved below, to the end of this story. This
was done so those readers who want to begin reading can do so and those
that would like to read my personal thoughts afterward, well you get the
gist, right? Right?

**
     Baltar's head hung low and his breathing came in shallow gasps.
     Heru'Ur eyes momentarily glowed brightly. "We find your proposal
acceptable."
     Baltar jerked his head up sharply. A flicker of a devious smile
crossed his face, vanished and then replaced with a more solid one. "Then
I am to be spared?"
     "Yes."...**

***

     There are those who believe that life here began out there, far
across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the
forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they
may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost
civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis.
     Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now
fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.

***

     Stars littered the void of interstellar space in a spectacular array
of dazzling white diamonds.  A pulsars light reached a pyramid shaped
star ship as it traversed the starscape. Light reflected brilliantly off
of its hull as it traveled at nearly nine tenths the speed of light. The
shape of the aerodynamic ship mattered little in the void of space,
however this design was perfectly suited for traversing planetary
atmospheres.
     The pyramid design was a remnant of a specific culture on an
insignificant planet located in the outer arm of Orions Belt in the Milky
Way Galaxy.
     The master of this vessel Heru'Ur, a parasitic host that inhabited a
human body was known throughout the universe as a member of the insidious
Goa'ould. 
     Heru'Ur waved his hand over a control on the bridge of his Cheops
class pyramid. After opening a channel to his chosen home world. "Jaffa",
he said.
     A tall handsome man with unearthly large muscles responded, "My
lord."
     "Have six of my best battleships readied and sent to my location and
bring a full compliment of Jaffa."
     "Yes, my lord".
     Before the Jaffa could close the connection Heru'Ur smiled wickedly,
"And I have a special assignment for you. Take a contingent of Jaffa
through the Chappa'ai to Heratos. If any aliens are there capture one or
two and bring them to me and destroy any others you might encounter."
     "My lord."

***

     The Colonial warriors Lieutenant Cree and Corporal Mindon tried
valiantly to evade the Jaffa, but they wore no match for so many of these
aggressive pilots.
     Cree had managed to destroy two of the gliders and Mindon managed to
get one, but that was all. Both Vipers were now being herded toward the
large pyramid spacecraft.
     Mindon worriedly asked, "What do we do know? They are forcing us to
land on their ship."
     Cree was reminded of the time the Cylons had forced him to crash
land on the ice planet Arcta. It was on the planet where the Cylons had
turned Dr. Ravishol's interstellar lens device into a weapon of massive
destruction. One blast was powerful enough to destroy the Galactica with
one shot. Starbuck, then a lieutenant rescued him single handedly from
the prison, just prior to the pulse weapons destruction.
     "I don't know," was the only response Cree could give him.
     After landing no less than twenty of the strangest aliens surrounded
them. With a body of a man and the head of birds it was as if Cree were
seeing childhood stories come back to life. The "bird-like men pointed
advanced weapons that resembled staffs. Unlike staffs, the pods on the
end opened up to reveal gun barrels of some type. They spoke in a harsh
guttural dialogue that the warriors did not understand. Cree came to
himself and called over to Mindon, "Mindon, are you seeing this? Mindon?"
     Mindon sat frozen in his seat. A horror not remembered since his
childhood stood no more then twenty metrons in front of him, and not just
one but over twenty such horrors. His parents told him bedtime stories of
these monsters and swore these creatures were not real. Yet there they
stood in front of him like hideous demonic beasts from the past. Even
before the holocaust the bird-like monsters were represented in a
colonial storybook that thrilled and frightened children.
     "Mindon?" Cree called again.
     Mindon snapped back to the present, "Ugh, yes sir?"
     "Just stay calm, we'll make it somehow. Try as long as you can to
resist giving up any information. Initiate a burnout of all primary and
backup circuits."
     Cree asked, "How can we escape if we do that?"
     "Mindon, listen to me, the fleet is more important than two
warriors. If these aliens track our course in the navi-computer they will
know where the fleet is."
     "Sir, I can delete that information and burnout the navi-computer,
we don't need to destroy our only means of escape!"
     "Mindon, we don't have time to argue. Set the backup generator to
overheat and lock the magnetic containment on the tylieum reactor open.
We'll lose our ships but will do some damage to these people. Also we
don't want these aliens to learn our technology."
     Fighting the urge to curse, Mindon obeyed his commanding officer,
"Yes, sir." In less than thirty microns the process had begun. Without
knowing there was a problem it was doubtful these birdmen would know
until it was too late.
     As the Colonial Warriors stepped down from their respective ship a
birdlike alien said something unintelligible to them. When the two
warriors did not respond he turned a dark brown staff on them and the end
of the staff split into, revealing a gun barrel. The two warriors needed
no further encouragement and dropped their laser pistols onto the deck
and raised their hands.
     Both warriors were led into an immense chamber, large enough to hold
a vast audience. A bald man with a goatee sat the far end of the chamber
on a throne. He wore a superior grin. 
     A haughtiness that neither Cree nor Mindon had ever seen upon
another living being. It was evil. A maniacal, twisted smirk of someone
who knew more than others. Cree and Mindon were appalled that any man
could be that way.
     They were roughly pushed into the center of the chamber the warriors
stood defiantly before the unknown ruler.
     Cree started to speak "Wh..." when a Horus guards hit his legs from
behind and he collapsed to the floor. "Oof", he said as he barely caught
himself. On his knees he turned in time to see Mindon catch himself.
     A bile rose up within him and a fear that he had not felt since his
capture by the Cylons on the snow planet of Arcta so long ago crept into
his thoughts. He mentally tried to push those memories aside. The one
difference between his previous Cylon captors and this human were this
man had emotions. In his ignorance Cree thought, 'Why would another human
treat his fellow man in such a manner?'
     Cree swallowed a couple of times and found his voice, "Why have you
forced us here? I am Lieutenant..."
     He was cut off in mid sentence. "No one of importance. Where you are
from is of importance." Heru'Ur's voice reverberated in multiple tones.
     Cree interrupted, "I will tell you nothing!"
     "SILENCE! You dare interrupt your god?" Heru'Ur nodded once and Cree
was smacked in the back of the head with a staff weapon. Cree fell
facedown and smacked his chin on the marble floor heavily.
     "Uggh", Cree gasped as he picked up his head from the floor and
wiped blood from his mouth. Fire burned from deep within Cree, as he
replied, "Never!"
     Heru'Ur smiled darkly, "We will see after you have been properly
conditioned." Cree was roughly hauled to his feet by two of the birdlike
men. Mindon turned an ashen color and with a pleading face toward Cree. 
     Cree feeling empathy for the young man managed to spit out,
"Remember who you are!" he yelled as he was roughly dragged out of
Mindons sight. Mindon turned to face Heru'Ur, a fearful look in his eyes.
     Heru'Ur eyes glowed bright yellow and then faded to normal. Mindon
recoiled in fear. Laughing menacingly the would-be god asked him "Now,
what shall we talk about?"
     And Mindon knew he was looking into the face of the devil himself.

***

     A pair of sleek tri-winged Colonial Vipers flew in loose formation
toward home. Lieutenant Troy glanced sideways at the viper closing
distance with his. Troy loved to see a Viper in flight. His father, now
Commander of the Galactica had once said, "A Viper is the most advanced
flying machine that man has ever built." Troy smiled at that. How true
that statement was. The Colonial Viper had been in service for well over
a millennium.
     Originally the viper was designed in the sixth millennium of man, as
the Colonial culture measured time. Its sleek design and maneuverability
resembled fighters from the fifth Millennium. During that time frame the
fighter craft were planet bound and combined fossil fuels and highly
compressed air to power their jet engines.
     The viper was hailed as a revolutionary fighter and space
superiority craft and over the yahrens earned that reputation as
evidenced by no other fighter class ever built afterward. Over the
yahren, the viper had gone through revisions. 
     Originally, the Vipers left and right wings were horizontal much
like its fifth millennium fighter jets. As technology progressed, a less
conventional repositioning to a slanted forty-five degrees perpendicular
position was added that enhanced the overall appearance and unique beauty
to the viper.
     With the destruction of the colonies over twenty-five yahren earlier
the vipers design had not changed much on the outside, however the
internal components had been upgraded and enhanced. The foundry ship
manufactured the new vipers and repaired the damaged ones. Over the
yahren new designs were suggested, however, with no active space dock to
redesign the triangular launch tubes on the landing bays of the Galactica
all exterior modifications had been dropped.
     A comprise resulted in adding a smaller energizer that provided
backup power in case the main energizer burned out or was damaged in
battle. Additionally, two smaller lasers that were less powerful had been
added to the forward portion of the nose. The scanners and communications
had been enhanced thirty five percent and maneuverability had also
increased by twenty percent.
     The Vipers had also been retrofitted to carry solium missiles.
Solium was the by-product of tylieum, the fuel that powered every ship in
the fleet. Solium leaks were often dangerous and solium missiles were
considered "dirty" weapons and a last result in combat. Cobalt missiles
were the norm, if used at all, however, most warriors did not choose to
use the missiles due to weight restrictions and the common perspective
that missiles were a primitive technology that went out of modern space
combat hundreds of yahren ago.
     The only disappointment in the viper's upgrades were the engines.
There had not been any improvements in the viper's range of flying in
over ten yahren. The fleet's top minds just could not find anyway to
enhance the engines output or fuel consumption ratio.
     Troy's thoughts focused back to the moment. 'Focus,' Troy thought to
himself. 'It's almost over. A trip to the decon chamber and no doubt a
long briefing with his father, then off to bed.' 
     The long-range patrol Captain Hesphatus and he had flown ended
abruptly after spotting a large Cylon force at extreme scanner range.
Realizing two vipers were no match for so many Cylons and that the
Galactica desperately needed this new intelligence the pair of vipers
exited the area as fast as possible. 
     Troy mentally focused on his duties. After nearly two cycles of
patrol he was worn out. Everyone knew these long-range patrols were too
long, yet the job still had to be performed. Interstellar space was vast
and a viper was a cosmic microbe against the backdrop.
     His viper's scanner beeped at him. The patrol was coming up on the
tail of the fleet. 
     There they were in all of their mismatched, hodgepodge glory: The
Agro ship, Comptel ship, Electronics ship; also known as the Celestra,
Various types of Freighters, Cargo vessels; several of which had been
converted to passenger ships, three Industry ships; for the manufacturer
of electronics, textiles and parts.
     Of course there was the Livestock ship, Mining ship, Orphan ship,
Parts, Prison Barge, a Sanitation ship used for salvaging, and recycling.
A small Sky bus, Star liner, a handful of Fuel Tankers. All together the
refugees started out with two hundred and twenty some odd ships that
ranged from interstellar craft to interplanetary. The lesser craft had
been converted for interstellar purposes and had been upgraded even more
over the yahren.
     Soon a large space vessel passed into view. The Colonial Movers
ship. Home to several thousand refugees living in box like compartments. 
     Initially families lived in open compartments with only a valron
sheet separating one family from another. Over the yahren the old girl
had been renovated and now hosted a more civilized living quarters.
Although the compartments were not luxurious, they provided certain
boundaries to individual families that were necessary, not to mention
civilized.
     Troy glanced toward his favorite sight on the ship. Its large
painted letters could still be made out after all these yahren. It read,
"Colonial Movers - We Move Anywhere." Troy snickered to himself. 'If only
the corporate owners had any clue how far they would move!'
     When Troy's wing mate was anyone other Captain Hesphatus, Troy
usually got away with doing close flybys. He would fly in a straight line
until beside the old girl and then at the last possible moment he would
fly his viper into a turbo assisted barrel roll that corkscrewed round
and round the massive ship. It was his way of saluting those aboard and a
certain brunette communications officer he dated, when he had the chance.
     Of course the straight laced and very serious Captain Hesphatus
would have fed him to the daggits if he ever did that while flying with
him. He had been counseled more than once by his father, only to have
Starbuck; his flight supervisor quietly snicker in the background. His
father would frown at Starbuck while he assumed an innocent expression.
     More than once Apollo thought about the almost magical charisma that
made Starbuck legendary amongst the fleet. Starbuck more than any other
warrior had earned his status and had affected the personality of many
children in the fleet, including his two children. Starbucks status was
overshadowed only by the Legendary Commander Cain who had defeated the
Cylons against more obstacles than any other hero in the Colonies
history.
     Apollo could not prove it but Starbuck probably was the one that
gave Troy the idea. Of Apollo's two children Hera had become more like
Starbuck than taking after either of her parents. It probably had
something to do with being the grandchild of Cain.
     Cain started his brilliant career off as a viper pilot and later
became the Commander of the Battlestar Pegasus.
     Boomer, Starbuck, and Apollo had been the most famous and notorious
pilots in the last five hundred yahren, with the exception of the
Legendary Commander Cain, his father in law.
     The latest versions of the Colonial history scans being taught in
the fleet described the death defying feats of the "Three."
     Troy's thoughts focused again. His viper stayed in formation and
passed by several other ships, the foundry ship that created the new
vipers, the Rising Star, home to several hundred people and also the
fleets only resort getaway and chancery. Due to the vastness of the
fleet's population the average person in the fleet had to wait half
yahren to spend their five cycles of entertainment. Obviously the Rising
Star had a monopoly on nearly all forms of entertainment.
     His scanner beeped again. There it was, the Galactica. The last
remaining Battlestar of the Colonial fleet. The largest space ship
created in the history of the Colonies. A gleaming white, metallic battle
cruiser against the backdrop of eternity. 
     Actually the ole girl was not entirely white in color and wore the
numerous battle scars, fire, and subsequent repairs. She had seen better
days. The last mandatory refit at space dock was two yahren prior to that
of the holocaust.
     The main body of the Galactica appeared to have three main parts
resembling a long flat reptile. The main bridge was on the forward most
part of the ship that was shaped like a long, flat, and wide head. The
body was long and box like with the landing bays on either side. The
ships aft section was completed with the engineering section.
     The overall length of the Galactica was four thousand two hundred
metrons and approximate total width of five thousand one hundred and
forty eight metrons wide. Each landing bay measured close too two
thousand metrons long.
     Captain Hesphatus interrupted troy thoughts, "Huh? What?" Troy shook
his head to focus. Hesphatus asked him again, "Troy are you all right?" 
     "Yes, sir. Just a little tired," Troy said.
     "Stay focused, Lieutenant. Were almost home."
     "Yes, sir."

***

     Captain Hesphatus entered the immense landing bay on the Galactica
followed by Troy a centon later.
     Hesphatus had already climbed down from his viper by the time Troy
had shutdown his engines. Troy popped the canopy on his ship and looked
around. He could not explain it to himself but there seemed to be an
excitement in the air. Shrugging climbed down the ladder attached to his
viper. The flight crewman asked, "How was your patrol, sir?"
     Troy smiled thinly, "Marten, you don't want to know."
     Marten stared after the two warriors and asked his co-worker,
"What's that supposed to mean?"
     Marten's supervisor, Artemeus had been aboard for over twenty-seven
yahren and knew from experience, "Cylons." He deadpanned.
     Marten, a young man barely twenty yahren was incredulous. Coming to
himself he called after Troy, "Sir, have you heard?"
     Troy stifled a yawn, "Marten, look I am tired and I won't get to bed
for at least another two centaurs after my debrief.
     Marten not knowing where to start blurted out, "He crashed on a
planet, found aliens, and found."
     Troy interrupted him, "Marten slow down, what are you talking about?
Who crashed?"
     Marten gulped for air, "Captain Starbuck. He crashed on a planet."
     Troy suddenly alert grabbed Marten's elbows, "What? How? Is he all
right?"
     He grabbed his flight helmet from Marten's hands and started toward
his viper.
     Artemeus blocked Troy's path, "Lieutenant, it's all right Starbuck
was rescued."
     Captain Hesphatus walked up to the group and started asking his own
questions.
     Artemeus interrupted, "Marten, since the lieutenant touched you
prior to decon, go on inside and tell them what you know."

***

     Cree did his best to keep from stumbling as he was dragged at a
brisk pace deeper into the bowels of an enemy ship. The group turned a
corner and entered a chamber. The two Horus guards dropped Cree onto the
floor hard.  Cree had only enough time to wander what the two warriors
were up to. The Horus guards reached down and pulled a large grating up
from the floor. Cree peered at the dark pit and took a chance. Without
any plan in mind he jumped up and ran toward the door. As he started
crossing the threshold a now familiar pain jabbed at his legs just
underneath his knees as the Horus guard's staff hit him.
     By the time Cree blinked, the guards had retrieved him and threw him
forcibly into the pit.
     A loud splash of water reached the feet of the birdmen who chuckled
coarsely. Upon landing in the water pit Cree splashed frantically till he
realized the water in the pit only went up to his chest. Looking up
menacingly at the guards the guards spit at him and laughed again until
the walls shook terribly. One of the guards almost fell into the pit but
the other birdman caught him at the last moment.
     Alarms blared menacingly and an unseen voice spoke in ancient
Egyptian over the ships intercom. The two Horus guards looked at each
other and then looked down at Cree. 
     Cree laughed at them. Cursing the two warriors closed and locked the
pit before running out of the chamber.

***

     Heru'Ur had barely begun his interrogation of Mindon when something
forcibly had thrown him out of his chair. It was one of the rare times he
was not totally in charge of a situation.
     "What?"
     Mindon laughed. He didn't mean too, it just slipped out. 
     Heru'Ur turned his anger on the Corporal "What have you done?"
     Mindon feeling a little more in control stood up, "What do you
think? We just destroyed your landing bay."
     Heru'Ur glared at him and raised his hand to reveal an artistic
gloved hand with a jewel imbedded in the palm. Mindon had only a moment
too wonder as the red crystal glowed bright and an unknown force picked
him up and threw him over ten metrons into the air. Mindon was
unconscious before he hit the floor. He hit the floor with a muffled thud
and unconsciously moaned to himself.

***

     The fires had been put out by the automatic fire suppressors;
however the damage would take some time too repair. Shrapnel from the
destroyed gliders littered the floors, walls, and ceiling. Everywhere
Heru'Ur  had seen had been burnt. Metal rails lay twisted in obscene
positions. In a few hours the Jaffa and technicians would have the bulk
of the damage cleared away. The easiest method had been to move the few
gliders that did survive to the auxillary hanger and then the forceshield
holding the atmosphere in the bay was turned off and the vacuum of space
stole everything not tied down.
     Although Heru'Ur was incensed at the damage it mattered little. Of
course he was torturing both humans for their impudence. He waved
dismissively and sneered, "These pitiful humans and their machine enemy
are no match for "us."
     As luck would have it the colonials were searching for a planet
called Earth. "Hmmmphh!" he snorted to himself.
     'Those damnable Tau'ri from Earth! They continually step underfoot.
They always seem to thwart the System Lords plans and escape from their
grasp at every turn. But not this time,' He thought. What was most
exasperating about the Tau'ri is that their technology is hopelessly
thousands of years behind the Goa'uld! 'How could such a primitive race
resist the Goa'ould might?'
     For over ten thousand years his father Ra, ruled the galaxy and no
one challenged their supremacy, until now. SG-1 as the Tau'ri called
their primary Stargate team killed Ra and Hathor on separate occasions.
Not that Heru'Ur grieved for them. Quite the contrary, all of the system
lord's allegiance was fractional at best. Feudalism that competed for
supremacy among each other was the norm. This was their greatest
weakness. 
     "That human known as O'Neill even dared to challenge "our" person
with his primitive weapon." Heru'Ur remembered the event explicitly.
O'Neil pulled that death black knife from its sheath, he laughed at him
until the primitive human did the unimaginable, he was able to overcome
"our" personal shield by throwing a hunters knife into his hand, which
destroyed his personal shield. How could the human have known that slower
moving objects could pass through their shield while preventing faster
objects such as blasts from a staff weapon?
     "Bah!" he thought. 'After "we" deal with these aliens I will find a
excuse to circumvent the treaty with the Asguards and destroy the Tau'ri
home world!'
     As Heru'Ur approached the torture chamber of his Cheops class
pyramid ship, a twisted thought came to him. He smiled to himself with
undisguised pleasure. "This could work to our advantage. Yes, if the
Colonials and the Cylons were to bring the battle to the Tau'ri home
world, the System Lords could circumvent the treaty with the Asguard. Of
course, these machines will need the coordinates to the Tau'ri system."
     The Asguard were one of the few races the Goa'uld feared. Their
technology surpassed even their own. The Asguard race resided in another
galaxy but over the millennia had intently studied the original homeworld
of the humans. It was found that humans had great potential but were
still to primitive for official contact.
     Despite their cultures current standing a single group of them had
learned to operate the Stargate and believe it or not were holding their
own against a superior enemy, guile and wits being their primary weapons.
     As luck would have it the Tau'ri somehow befriended the Asguard and
with their help prevented an invasion a protected planet the Asguard kept
as a protectorate.
     Heru'Ur had to flee in order to save himself. He had lost a large
contingent of Jaffa on that encounter and because of that he was trying
to consolidate his power when he ran into these Colonials.
     "Yes." Heru'Ur continued his train of thought. "We could not let
this machine race and the Colonials destroy the peace with the Asguard.
And it would be a pity if in the process of destroying the Cylons and
Colonials if the Tau'ri home world were destroyed themselves. Yes, a
pity." Heru'Ur laughed hard as his eyes glowed brightly.
     As he entered the torture chamber he saw Mindon lying on a rack with
sweat drenching his entire body. His youthful appearance seemed only a
distant memory.

***

     Tamara stood outside the Council of twelve's chambers. The lead IFB
reporter for the fleets communications and news agency straightened her
skirt and ran her finger s through her hair for the third time. A nervous
trait she never had outgrown.
     A cameraman stood a few metrons away from her and queued the red
light on his camera. It blinked 5 times quickly notifying Tamara that
when the red light stopped blinking she would be transmitting.
     The light steadied and she put on her business "face".
     "This is Tamara with the IFB breaking news onboard the Galactica. I
am standing outside the Quorums chambers and awaiting confirmation of the
rumors flooding every ship in the fleet.
     Unconfirmed reports have spread throughout the fleet like a
supernova, that Recon probe commanded by the Legendary Captain Starbuck
has actually found Earth!"
     Tamara heard a tiny voice speak into her earpiece, "Tamara, that's
incredible! Have you been able to confirm with anyone whether or not
these events are true?"
     On cue Tamara shook her head no, "Unfortunately, no. My sources who
have asked to remain anonymous have told me that Captain Starbuck and
Commander Apollo's daughter, Lieutenant Hera, had been on one of the
special recon probes in response to the allegedly Kobollian
communications the fleet has picked up over the last few sectans. In
response to these communications in our most ancient language the
Galactica has sent out more frequent patrols in order to track down where
these communications originated."
     In response to her last comment an unseen technician aboard the
communications ship told Tamara in her other earpiece that the audience
would not hear, "Queue archive tape." Tamara waited for word to continue.
     The unseen commentator spoke, "In recent footage taken only a few
sectans ago, Commander Apollo of the Galactica announced, "The Galactica
communications has picked up odd signals that I personally have
recognized as one of the Colonies most ancient languages, Kobol." 
     Apollo's image stood strong and proud aboard the bridge of the
Galactica. "It has taken our technicians two sectans to create a
translation matrix in order to decipher these transmissions. Although
these transmissions have raised many people's hopes, let me say that
prudence is our best response at this time. While the ramifications and
sheer odds of another alien civilization having coincidently created a
duplicate language to one of our most ancient languages is astronomical,
it's not entirely impossible, or this civilization could be an offshoot
of a forgotten colony."
     "The counsel has voted to send out more frequent patrols in the
hopes of tracking down this civilization, however, I caution everyone
that this is our first contact with any sentient life form in over
several yahren, it still does not preclude the fact that this is an alien
race and not the Thirteenth Colony. Although a certain excitement is
natural, I caution everyone to be patient until we determine who or what
this civilization might mean for us. As soon as I have any confirmed word
I promise that I will make it public knowledge."
     A near silent voice spoke into Tamara's ear, "Queue Tamara".
     Zeras the commentator asked her, "Tamara, any word on when the
council will adjourn."
     "Not yet, however I am sure that it shouldn't last more than another
centaur," Tamara said.
     Zeras asked her, "Rumor has it Commander Apollo has left the
Galactica and has not been reported anywhere in the fleet?"
     Tamara nodded professionally, "It's more than a rumor Zeras,
according to my sources Commander Apollo left sometime yesterday and has
not yet returned. According to every ships log book in the fleet,
Commander Apollo and Blue Squadron all launched late yesterday afternoon
and has not returned since then."
     "Tamara, if the Commander is nowhere in the fleet and all of Blue
Squadron went with him it indeed would seem to confirm the rumors of
Captain Starbuck finding the Earth."
     "That's right Zeras, but until I can speak to either Colonel Sheba
or the Council, we can only speculate on the importance of the Commanders
departure at a significant time such as this."
     Zeras switched her line of questioning, "Tamara, if this truly is
our first contact with Earth, then Starbuck's incredible career will have
reached its pinnacle."
     Tamara nodded, "If the rumors prove to be true then Starbuck would
ensure his legendary status for a thousand yahren and could rival that of
the Legendary Commander Cain".
     Tamara continued, "We will keep you posted as events arise. For IFB,
this is Tamara outside the Quorum's chambers onboard the Battlestar
Galactica."
     "Queue Zeras," the technician spoke into Tamara's ear. A moment
later her cameraman's red light blinked out.
     Tamara lowered her microphone and turned to the chambers, "If only I
could hear what their saying."
     Stiles, the cameraman grinned, "Tamara, you know that bunch of old
aristocrats are probably calmly and politely drinking carafes of ambrosa
while making the rest of the fleet fidget like a daggit on a sunspot."
     Tamara wondered.

***

     Inside the Quorum's chambers a loud man garbed in elegant robes
yelled at a high-ranking Colonial warrior.
     Sire Geller bellowed, "Ah, a, Stargate? Really Colonel! You take us
for fools! Where is Commander Apollo? I demand..."
     Sheba gritting her teeth and asked herself for the hundredth time,
'How does Apollo handle these buffoons?' "Sire Geller, I assure you what
I have been told is accurate. Commander Apollo, along with Blue Squadron
are on that planets surface right now speaking to people from Earth!"
     Geller a seasoned Councilor for many yahren now retorted, "Don't
raise your voice to me Colonel! Your husband may be President of this
Quorum and Commander of the fleet, but not even he will stop me if you
don't show respect!"
     "People please," Siress Tinia said in Apollo's seat while he was
away and with a quiet voice of authority. The aged woman was over hundred
yahren old. Which in a Colonial lifespan put her at mid-life. So far she
was the longest serving member aboard the council, dating back to the
destruction of the colonies themselves.
     When she had everyone's attention. "The Colonel is just reporting
what our military leaders have ascertained by these alleged Earth people.
Let's not jump to conclusions, instead lets face the facts."
     Siress Tinia continued in that matronly voice, "What we do know is
that an alien ship has fired on one of our patrol and after sending a
rescue shuttle and Blue Squadron to the planet where Captain Starbuck had
crash landed."
     Sire Geller not being a big fan of Starbuck and jealous of Adama's
son muttered, "Third viper he crashed in twenty five yahren."
     Ignoring his statements Tinia continued, "According to reports;
Major Boomer's team found a group of humans who claimed to not be native
to this planet but had helped Starbuck by taking him back to their planet
with a, uh, I am sorry dear, what did you call it? A Star door?"
     Sheba smiled, "According to reports these people call their
interplanetary device a Stargate."
     Tinia smiled appreciatively, "Of course, Colonel. Now although I do
admit that such travel sounds impossible I have to concede the point that
until proven otherwise we should accept our military officers report at
face value."
     Pausing only to take a sip of water from her glass she continued,
"Afterwards Major Boomer sent his team and the Med-Tech shuttle back.
Then Dr. Cassiopeia and he traveled to these, uh, peoples planet."
     "Colonel, would you continue, please?"
     Sheba nodded and said, "After Commander Apollo had received the
report from Flight Sergeant Cyphus he took a shuttle and Blue Squadron
back to the planet in hopes of opening a dialogue. That's about it. We
are still waiting for an update."
     Tinia smiled, "Now my esteemed colleagues, the fleet and the IFB
know something has happened? What shall we say to them?"
     Geller slammed his palm down onto the large table. "Nothing! I want
proof before we dash our peoples hopes."
     "Here, here" several council members murmured.
     A rather kindly sire inquired, "Excuse me, Colonel? If one believes
these reports then we can assume that Earth's culture is indeed
light-yahren ahead of our own. Can you provide more information?"
     Sheba told them what she knew, "From the reports we have gathered,
these people, seem to have an odd mix of technology. According to our
warriors reports while this civilization has mastered instantaneous
travel throughout their galaxy, they seem to be close too two thousand
yahren behind our own culture in most other areas."
     Tinia seemed confused, "Colonel, how do you account for that? Either
they are advanced or not?"
     "While having mastered their Stargate, apparently their science,
medical knowledge, and weapons appear to be similar to mid-fifth
millennium in the Colonial timeframe."
     Geller asked incredulously, "What? That's not possible. How can they
have invented devices that take them anywhere in the galaxy and yet are
thousands of yahren behind our most advanced thinking?"
     Sheba countered, "I don't have the slightest clue Sire Geller,
however, when the Commander returns I am sure we will have our answers."
     Geller started to respond when the council chambers opened quickly
and two warriors burst in unannounced.
     Geller already more than agitated stood up and demanded, "What is
the meaning of this? How dare you barge in here..."
     Sheba turned red with anger. Of all times to have her own son barge
in here and lower my credibility with the council even more. 
     Facing the senior officer she said sharply, "Captain! You better
have a good explanation for this!" Captain Hesphatus coolly responded,
"Excuse me Colonel, Councilors, but we have urgent information for the
council and you."
     Sheba crossed her arms and thought, 'This had better be good.'
"Well, what is it?"
     Troy interrupted, "Cylons."

***

     Omega had been back on watch for about a centaur now. His hands
flashed across his display panel as he performed a standard maintenance
routine on the scanners. This routine checked the scanners operability by
scanning up and down the frequency spectrum and then adjusted itself in
order to maintain optimum efficiency. 
     Omega of course could have retired and lived comfortably aboard the
Galactica for the rest of his life, but he reasoned life without purpose
was not living. That's why several of his colleague's died relatively
early in their retirement.
     Beep.
     His scanners registered a comm's signal that was out of the fleets
normal frequency range. Believing there might be something significant to
record he paused the frequency oscillation and started recording.
"Colonial... leet... fou... mai... dist... notify... C..n"
     The garbled transmission ended abruptly.
     Frowning Omega decided to keep the channel active on a substation on
the bridges lower terminals. After assigning a technician to maintain
surveillance he contacted the ranking bridge officer.

***

     Commander Apollo, Captain Starbuck, Doctor Cassiopeia, Major Boomer,
and Lieutenant Hera had just finished viewing the video Daniel Jackson
had shown them of the Earth. 
     Apollo breathed in deeply, "The Earth is more beautiful than I could
have believed!"
     Hera nodded her ascent, "Breathtaking." Hera's comment was followed
by similar ones from the other Colonials.
     Colonel Jack O'Neil, commander of SG-1 smiled, "Thank you sir,
however, Earth has its problems like any other place. It's not perfect,
but we call it home."
     Apollo turned serious again. Jack was amazed how he sounded like an
exited schoolboy and just as suddenly could then turn immediately into a
stoic Commander of sobriety. "Of course which brings me to the next topic
Colonel. Where do we go from here?"
     Jack turned to Daniel and nodded his ascent. "Well, sir" Daniel
began. "General Hammond who is the leader of the Stargate Command has
ordered our team to initiate contact with you and then return to your
fleet and open a formal dialogue with your people."
     Apollo nodded his affirmation. "I agree, however I must insist upon
one small item of business before we proceed."
     Daniel non-plussed raised his eyebrows questioningly.
     Apollo continued, "I want to go to Earth and see it first hand,
smell the air, see some sights for myself."
     Daniel turned to Jack who shrugged his shoulders.
     Daniel nodded, "Yes, sir, however, a full tour of Earth is not
possible at this time."
     Apollo smiled, "I don't have to see the whole planet Doctor Jackson,
just a small part of it."
     Jack cut into the conversation, "I think want Daniel is trying say
is that the Stargate is a classified project of our government and only a
handful of people on our planet know of its existence."
     Apollo nodded again, "Nevertheless, I insist."

***

     The Cylon task force sent to intercept the new foe comprised of
three squadrons of Cylon raiders. Baltar sent out the task force in
response to his patrol of raiders being destroyed by unknown humans and
alien alliance.
     Raiders were disk shaped fighters that comprised of three Cylon
Centurions. These mechanizations were tall gleaming metal warriors with
only simplistic skills. Due to these restrictions in the average
Centurions thought capacity it took three Cylons to pilot the fighter
compared to one human counterpart in a Viper fighter. 
     The Cylons only defeated the Colonies of man by overwhelming them in
sheer numbers and guile. In Cylon society, there are three classes; the
centurion that doubled as servants as well as warriors, the IL Series
models that ran installations, usually base ships and governor positions
in their cities, and finally the Imperious Leader. Imperious Leader was
chosen from the IL Series Cylons and underwent a procedure that added a
third brain. This third brain gave the ruler of the Cylon Empire an
almost human-like capacity. Of course being a mere machine these
abominations had no moral compulsions such as empathy, love, justice, or
tolerance.
     Only one objective: To bring order to the universe. Since the life
form of man loves individuality and resists perfection the Cylons have
digressed in their pursuit of perfection in favor of "Destroying Man
wherever they may be".
     To that end the Cylons relentless and obsessive pursuit of the
Colonial fugitives. If it is one thing the Cylons have learned it is that
unlike many other life forms mankind can be subjugated but can never be
defeated. Other races have lived peaceably under the Cylon rule with the
exception of mankind. 
     Humanity could be defeated but invariably mankind could always breed
new generations of rebels. To that end Imperious Leader came to the
conclusion that order to the universe could only be achieved by
eradicating this pestilence from the universe.
     Silently the task force traversed the void of space searching first
the last known position.
     The Task Force patrolled where the last scout group had been
destroyed and afterward would continue in a circular pattern like a
hunting pack of wild daggits searching for its prey.

***

     General George Hammond of the Stargate Command sat down at his desk
and called the dining facility and asked someone to bring a pot of coffee
down to him. That was one of the nice perks to being the Commanding
Officer and a General Officer.
     Hammond checked his watch and wondered how SG-1 was faring in the
negotiations. Jack was not due to check in for another three hours.
Hammond sighed. He hated waiting to hear how the results went; however,
he knew how to play the waiting game. An officer with his time in service
and seniority of rank did not get to be where he was at without a certain
amount of patience.
     Still, he sat in his office trying to concentrate on the daily
plethora of official message traffic and of course the never-ending
supply of email. Checking his electronic calendar he reviewed today's
list of events.
     Hammond had come in earlier than usual partly because he was having
trouble sleeping and partly because he really did need to catch up on his
paperwork.
     'This treaty,' he mused. 'It's vital to not only America, but to all
of the Earth.' His superiors at the Pentagon were putting undue pressure
on him to make this treaty work. 'Hell, he thought.' If another potential
ally that is more advanced than Earth refuses to share their technology,
then the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces might really pull the plug on
the Stargate program once and for all.
     Hammond could not allow that. Once before Senator Kinsey who headed
up the Armed Forces Committee tried to shut the program down and almost
succeeded, that is if SG-1 had not disobeyed direct orders to stand down.
Luckily for SG-1 the attack on Earth that Daniel kept talking about after
he returned from that mirror universe turned out to be right. SG-1
single-handedly destroyed two Goa'ould mother ships as they approached
Earth orbit.
     He smiled more in disgust than in fear. 'One day,' he thought. 'Just
one day before the final closing of the Stargate Command at Cheyenne
Mountain. Hell, I even ordered a veil put over the Stargate itself. If
SG-1 had not disobeyed orders, Earth cities would now be in ruins and
under the tyrannical control of Aphophis and there would not have been a
damn thing we could have done about it.'
     Hammond wondered absently, "Where is that coffee?"
     To his surprise a knock came at the door. "About time," Hammond
muttered under his breath, then cleared his throat and spoke with
authority, "Enter".
     Instead of an Airman with his pot of coffee, Major Davis, the
representative of the Joint Chiefs from the Pentagon entered his office.
     Hammond inwardly sighed and said, "The Joint Chiefs couldn't wait
till we heard back from SG-1 first?"
     Major Davis smiled apologetically, "Good morning General Hammond.
Sir, I realize this seems like the Joint Chiefs are snooping around but
they really are anxious to hear any word at all on SG-1's progress."
     A knock at the door interrupted them. Hammond frowned and said,
"Enter." An Airman from the dining facility walked in and set a carafe of
steaming coffee and a coffee cup on the General's desk. Hammond thanked
the Airman as he quickly departed.
     "Major, I think I am going to need that first cup before we go any
further."
     Alarms blared over the speakers above General Hammond's head. "Well,
Major the Joint Chiefs won't have to wait any longer."
     Major Davis frowned, "I thought SG-1 wasn't going to be checking in
for..." He paused to check his wristwatch. "Another two and a half
hours?"
     "No else is due back," Hammond said as he left his office quickly
with Major Davis close behind him.

***

     Omega turned his head as the turbolift doors to the bridge opened.
Colonel Sheba practically stormed onto the bridge, "Omega, bring the
fleet to a dead stop."
     Omega turned and issued the orders to the communications officer on
duty. "Colonel, what's going on?"
     Sheba turned toward him and grimly said, "Cylons."
     Omega stared at her a moment not quite sure he heard her right.
"That makes sense."
     Sheba frowned and asked, "Why do you say that?"
     "While you were in the Council Chambers we picked up a strange
transmission outside the fleets bandwidth. If I had not been performing
routine frequency modulation we would never had picked it up."
     "Cylons?" Sheba asked.
     "That's my guess, however, the transmission was not a Cylon
frequency our intelligence ever reported before."
     "Let's hear it."
     Omega nodded and played back the garbled transmission. When the
transmission ended he nodded. "We can't be for sure but the data from the
audio recording supports a Cylon origin."
     Sheba shook her head in disgust, "Keep monitoring that frequency.
Were we able to get spatial coordinates on the transmission?"
     Omega sadly nodded, "No Colonel. The transmission was so short that
we did not have time to home in on the signal."
     "I need more information. Have someone monitor that frequency."
     Omega nodded, "Already have a technician on it."
     Sheba changed subjects, "Any word on the Commander?"
     "No Colonel, nothing yet. We could try long range communications?"
Omega suggested.
     Sheba shook here head no. "No, I want complete communications
silence till we know for sure what we are dealing with. Issue the order."

***

     General Hammond and Major Davis entered the Embarkation room just as
the Colonel O'Neil stepped through the gate followed by the other members
of SG-1.
     Hammond tilted his head inquiringly, "Colonel?"
     Jack smiled, "It's all right General we met their Commander and..."
     Apollo arrived along with Boomer, Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Hera. 
     "General Hammond, Commander Apollo. Commander Apollo, General
Hammond."
     The two officers exchanged greetings.
     Apollo smiled in earnestness. "General Hammond a pleasure."
     Hammond was surprised at Apollo's presence but managed to compose
himself. "Likewise, sir. Welcome to Earth and the SGC. I apologize for
not having a more formal setting arranged." Shrugging apologetically he
continued, "We did not expect your arrival so soon."
     Apollo nodded in empathy, "Think nothing of it General. Actually I
am too blame. Colonel O'Neil mentioned his orders, but after so many
yahren of searching, I had to see Earth for myself."
     Hammond smiled, "I understand." Then turning to Sam. "Major, please
escort our guests to the infirmary."
     Sam handed her weapon to Teal'c. Teal'c nodded in understanding.
"Commander, would you and your team please follow me. There's a brief
physical exam before we proceed."
     As the Colonials were led to the infirmary Hammond turned to Jack,
"Hell, Jack I said bring back word of their Commander, not bring him
back."
     Jack smiled, "Oh, I had nothing to do with that sir. Commander
Apollo refused to return back to their fleet till he got the fifty cent
tour of Earth."
     "Tour?" Hammond frowned.
     "Yes, sir. Said he wouldn't leave till he got to see not just the
Stargate but he had to see Earth for himself."
     "Colonel, I can't have an alien wandering around Colorado."
     "I agree sir. That's why I propose having Forty-sixth Aerospace
Defense Wing at Peterson Air Force Base give the good Commander a pretty
flight around Colorado Springs and maybe circle Denver and return. That
way..."
     Hammond smiled, "Right, then he can see but not touch. Good idea
Colonel. In fact I want SG-1 to host this tour." Turning to Major Davis
he said, "Major, contact the Pentagon and get authorization for this
"good will flight" and arrange for transportation."
     "Yes sir."

***

     After the Colonials brief medical screening they joined General
Hammond and the rest of SG-1 in the conference room. The conference room
had a similar setup to the tents on P2S89G.
     Hammond motioned to the empty chairs. "Please be seated. Commander
Apollo, due to secret nature of the Stargate program here at Cheyenne
Mountain we can't allow a walking tour through our cities, however, we
are prepared to drive you and your personnel to Peterson Air Force Base
where you will board a jet that will take you on a flight around Colorado
Springs. From there you will fly to another of our large cities, Denver
and return this evening to Peterson Air Force Base and finally drive back
to the SGC.  We will have VIP rooms waiting for you and tomorrow morning
we will have everything ready to return you too P2S89G."
     Apollo nodded, "Thank you General I believe that will be enjoyable.
If time permits I do have a few questions about Earth though. From what I
have heard I don't believe I have a clear picture of the nature of your
society."
     Hammond nodded his assent.
     Apollo continued, "For instance." Apollo glanced down at his Air
Force pad he jotted notes on back on P2S89G. "Earth is largely divided
into several factions I believe you call countries."
     At Hammonds nod he continued, "Further more, this country we are in
is called, the United States of America. Interesting name to be sure, but
what about the other countries? How can these countries with varying
levels of technologies and so many forms of government and religion, get
together for the benefit of mankind if there is no world government?"
     Hammond turned to Daniel, "Doctor Jackson."
     Daniel turned from his inner thoughts and said, "Oh! Um, well
actually, we, uh, don't"
     Apollo frowned, "Come again?"
     "Several countries do participate in "good-will" games of friendly
competition that we call the "Olympics." Every four years they compete."
     "Games, to the death?" Hera asked haltingly.
     "No. These are friendly sports competitions," Daniel said.
     Apollo nodded in understanding, "So this is how the people of the
Earth keep from fighting amongst yourselves."
     "Uh, no. Actually there are hot pockets of dissention and warfare
throughout Earth every year. Some are religious extremists looking for
any excuse to hurt people and others are dictators that just fight their
neighbor for gain."
     Apollo frowned. "You fight your fellow man?"
     The Colonials clearly were shocked at such barbaric behavior.
     General Hammond tried to smooth the moment, "Commander were not
perfect but unlike your culture fighting a common foe, Earth has not had
any extraterrestrial enemies until we started venturing out through the
Stargate."
     Pensively Hammond asked, "Does this affect your decision to migrate
to Earth?"
     Apollo smiled, "No general, that decision was made by my people and
the Council of Twelve about twenty-five yahren ago. Earth has been my
peoples last hope for survival." 
     Apollo frowned a little. "Although your technological level is not
the most ideal situation we will have to adjust to this new information."
Changing the subject he asked, "How will the people of Earth react if the
fleet suddenly shows up? I can only assume the general population will
panic."
     "The President believes that once your people arrive that the
world's leaders will agree to help with the shock of this news. If the
United States provides equal access and representation to your
government, the damage should be kept to a minimum.
     It also offers a unique possibility. As you know, the SGC is a Top
Secret installation and the general public are not aware of its
existence. If the general population knew of this program it would
undermine our effectiveness to function, not to mention scare them. There
would be demands from the leaders around the world to have access to the
Stargate and then even more scrutiny, possibly war on a global scale.
Knowledge of this facility would endanger the stability of the world
however; your people arriving on Earth will divert attention once again
from this facility. The President and Joint Chiefs believe that more than
likely Earth would unite under a formal bond..."
     Apollo suspiciously asked, "Under the United States?"
     Hammond smiled diplomatically, "Sir, the United States of America is
a peace loving nation. There is not another nation on Earth at this time,
which has a more mobile and tactical advantage than the U.S. If we were
an aggressive nation we would have conquered the majority of this planet
by sheer force, technological superiority, and numbers." 
     Apollo asked, "Doctor Jackson mentioned your peace keeping forces
are deployed throughout the Earth fighting in other countries you have no
dispute with."
     "That's only partially true, however, under the agreement of the
United Nations; the U.S. is only one of several countries deploying
troops to help other nations who are defenseless against aggressors that
would steal their lands, resources, or wealth. We also deploy to other
countries that directly interfere with our sovereignty."
     "Doesn't that prove my point, general?"
     Hammond countered smoothly, "Not at all sir, in the countries we are
currently deployed in, there are madmen who care little or nothing at all
for human life. America has deployed troops to assist in others needs and
also to protect our own interests abroad. In one of our previous wars in
the Middle East, a sovereign nation attacked a smaller, weaker nation
because they were wealthy and had an abundant natural resource called
oil."
     "Oil? What's that?" Apollo asked.
     Daniel intervened, "Oil is the cornerstone to our current level of
technology. Without it economies would collapse and stability of every
nation on Earth would be affected. Oil produces, heat, fuel, and
synthetics, such as plastic that is used in almost every other industry
in the world. As long as Earth requires oil, we will always have
difficulty, mainly because the largest concentration of oil is in that
region where most human rights are suppressed due too a strict religious
cast that demands total obedience or because the dictators in those
countries would simply kill anyone who opposes them. Either way these
older countries seem to breed violence in the name of their religion
regardless of what they preach. 
     With your level of technology added to Earth's, that part of the
world would no longer hold ransom the rest of the planet. It might be the
catalyst to ensuing a certain level of peace. 
     You see the people of those countries feel they are being defiled by
those who do not believe the way they do, and certain radical members of
these nations have terrorized the world by hijacking planes, killing
innocent women and children all in the name of their religion despite the
fact that it violates every ethical law of mankind."
     Apollo frowned, "Doctor Jackson, do you really believe changing the
level of technology of this planet would change individual beliefs of
their religion?"
     "No, that's not what I mean. By changing the status quo and not
depending on these other nations for oil, they become obsolete and are
pushed from the center of the world's attention. If they hope to move
into a new era with the rest of this planet, these nations will be forced
to police their own people and when money is involved, people and nations
change. When the worlds dependence on oil drops to an all time low; these
countries will do almost anything to maintain relations, not too mention
bring them in as an equal partner to the world community. Things would
have to change if they hope to be a part of what Earth will develop into,
or they risk losing out completely. Also with the adaptation of your
technology, Earth's global economies will be open to other opportunities
that should stabilize the world market. "
     "I see," Apollo said. Turning to Hammond, "So how do we proceed from
here, general?"
     Hammond looked at the table for a moment. "Well sir, whether we
proceed from here is dependent upon our mutual agreement."
     "On?" Apollo asked cautiously.
     Jack interrupted, "Technology, sir." 
     Hammond gave Jack sharp look but continued, "Frankly Commander,
almost every advanced race we have met through the Stargate has refused
to share any technology with Earth. Since Earth's space program is
relatively new I am sure you can see how important new technologies are
vital to securing Earth's protection against the Goa'ould. 
     For the past three years largely through the efforts of our team of
scientists here at the SGC, we have been able to learn a lot about
general concepts about space, but nothing substantial in the ways of
weapons or space flight."
     Apollo nodded, "I can understand your plight and if we do choose to
settle here we will indeed have to merge our two cultures."
     Jack raised his eyebrows, "If?"
     "I am being diplomatic Colonel O'Neil."
     "How about a sign of good faith?"
     Apollo frowned, "What did you have in mind, Colonel?"
     "I don't know, what about one of those viper thingies?"
     Apollo blinked in surprise, "Colonel, It's premature at this time to
be exchanging our fleets military hardware. Perhaps after I speak to the
Counsel certain arrangements can be made. I am sure you understand,
however, how about something more practical?" Pausing Apollo turned to
Hera. "Hera, why don't you give the Colonel your laser pistol?"
     Hera paused only a fraction of a moment. Reaching down she removed
her laser pistol and started to hand it to Jack.
     Jack stopped her short. "Major Carter, why don't you escort
Lieutenant Hera down to the lab and see what makes that thing tick."
     Sam looked questionably at General Hammond. With his nod Sam and
Hera left the conference room.
     Hammond faced Apollo. "Commander, As I mentioned to the Major and
Captain here, I have been authorized by the President of the United
States to grant your people asylum on this planet or relocate to any
other uninhabited world we have come across within the Stargate network,
providing we can secure an agreement to exchange information and
technology.
     "That sounds equitable, general," Apollo said.
     A siren blared over the loud speakers and the gate room attendant
announced, "Off World activation." 
     "Now what?" Hammond frowned.
     Jack answered, "No one is due back till tomorrow, sir."
     "Receiving Tok'Ra I.D. Opening the Iris." 
     Jack grimaced, "Oh, for crying out loud! General, don't you think
this its just a little suspicious that the Tok'Ra would be coming for a
visit at this particular moment."
     Apollo stood up in time to see the Stargate activate and three
individuals in tan colored tunic and trousers come through the gate. "Who
are the "Tok'Ra"?
     Jack beat Hammond to the punch, "Usually their our allies, but most
of the time their just a pain in the..."
     "Colonel!" Hammond interrupted.
     Jack just shrugged apologetically.
     Daniel interrupted, "Tok'Ra means 'Against Ra.' Their very similar
to the Goa'ould in that they inhabit a host in order to live."
     Starbuck frowned noticeably, "How are they different if they live
inside a human and control them?"
     Sam smiled, "Actually, unlike the Goa'ould they share a symbiotic
relationship with their host. Neither being controls the other. Each one
has a separate personality that uses the same body."
     Apollo asked over his shoulder, "Why would anyone ever choose to
live like that."
     "In exchange for life of the symbiote, the Tok'Ra extend the life of
their host to over two hundred years and the host enjoys perfect health,"
Teal'c added.
     Jack interrupted, "Hell, I'd rather die than have one of those
snakes in my head."
     Hammond frowned at him, "Regardless of Colonel O'Neil's opinion,
Earth and the Tok'Ra are our allies."
     A knock at the conference room door announced the Tok'Ra arrival. An
Airman opened the door to allow the Tok'Ra agents inside.
     Jacob Carter followed by two other Tok'Ra walked inside and smiled.
Jacob, a former US Air Force General Officer and Sam's father had been
dying from terminal cancer. He was given an opportunity to blend with the
Tok'Ra Selmac and he now lives off world as a Tok'Ra agent and a liaison
between Earth and the Tok'Ra.
     "George, Jack."
     Sam smiled, "Hi dad."
     Jacob smiled at his daughter; "Good to see you Sam, the Tok'Ra High
Command have received word from our spies in Heru'Ur ranks that he ran
into some aliens looking for their lost ancestral home and your never
going to guess where that is?" Pausing, Jacob noticed for the first time
the other group of humans in the room were wearing totally unfamiliar
uniforms. Sudden realization hit him.
     "Oh! Then again."

***

     Cylon fighters silently flew in perfect formation deeper into the
void of space.
     Inside the lead fighter, three metallic cybernetic life forms sat
motionless except to perform their duty.  Two seats in the most forward
of the craft sat the pilot and fire control Centurion. In the center of
the craft a third Cylon sat whose duties were to issue commands to its
crew.
     The commanding centurions single red rectangular optical sensor
slowly pulsed right to left in an never-ending cycle. He waited. Its
programming was to respond to threats to his ship, obey orders, and issue
them as well.
     Its bearing was neither complacent nor was it over zealous. It
simply was. It waited for combat. Current orders were for this particular
Centurion to lead four squadrons to the unknown human and alien alliance
and bring back a single human and alien. The rest were to be destroyed.
     A monotone machine voice announced in a voice neither high nor low
in pitch, "Scanners detect a large pyramid ship bearing Gamma Seven."
     "Life signs?"
     "Indeterminate."
     "Indeterminate?"
     "Scanners cannot fully penetrate alien vessel. An electronic field
is scattering raidon waves."
     "Pursue and destroy." The commanding centurion droned.
     "By your command." The pilot obeyed.
     The commander issued similar orders to the other squadron commanders
who relayed down their robotic chain of command.


     Inside Heru'Ur's pyramid ship his lead Jaffa reported. "My lord, at
least four squadrons of the saucer shaped vessels similar to the ones we
dispatched earlier are closing in on our position."
     "What word have we on my Teltac battleships?"
     "The will not arrive for some time, my Lord."
     Heru'Ur smiled mischievously, "Raise our shields and prepare the
main gun."
     "Yes, my lord."
     Heru'Ur knew his orders would be followed to the letter. Without
further consideration he went to an unmarked station and waved his hand
over a circular orb built into the desk. A panel opened up and a complex
scanning device quietly and smoothly extended out a foot from its alcove.
     He leaned forward adjusted the scanners controls and almost
instantaneously received a detail scan on the alien ships and its crew.
     His baldhead jerked up in surprise and then amusement. Stroking his
black goatee, "Machines. Ha! Their nothing but primitive machines."
     Quickly he adjusted the scanners controls once again and narrowed in
on the lead Cylon ship. A display monitor on the wall in front of him
produced complex patterns in shockingly fast rhythm. Pattern after
endless pattern appeared briefly and then just as quickly disappeared.
     The lead Centurion communicated to the unknown, "Attention,
attention, By order of the Exalted Baltar of the Cylon Empire release
control of your ship and prepare to be boarded."
     Silence followed. Inside his cybernetic mind a complex algorithm
executed per its programming. When no response was given he immediately
switched to secondary protocol.
     Calling to other Cylon ships, "Vectors Two through twenty arm and
attack."
     Cylon fighters dived in a classical pinwheel attack. Long white
bolts of fury discharged its Forty Megon loads mercilessly upon the
pyramid ship. Unfortunately for the Cylons it had no apparent affect on
this alien ship. A fighter dived too close to the pyramids hull and
collided with the ships shields exploding brilliantly into nothingness.
     The lead centurion saw this on his scanner, "What happened?"
     His pilot answered, "Raider Nine collided twenty metrons above the
pyramid ships hull."
     "Impossible."
     "No, the scanners registered the impact."
     "Speculate?"
     "The ship has an energy barrier protecting its hull."
     Wave after wave of ships dived in and out unleashing volley after
volley of laser fire. Occasionally an incredibly powerful red bolt was
fired from the pyramid. Its destructive firepower obliterated anything in
its path. By two's and threes Cylon wreckage littered space in ever
increasing number.
     Heru'Ur was getting impatient. Inwardly he thought, 'What blasted
frequency do these abominations operate on?'
     The frequency pattern paused a moment, then green lights flashed a
recognition signature.
     "At last." Turning his head sideways his eyes flashed a bright
yellow and he smiled wickedly.
     With an evil glee he entered the frequency and transmitted in one
fluid motion.
     At first nothing seemed to happen but after a few seconds a screen
that had been dark illuminated. An abbreviated text appeared. Heru'Ur
stared incredulous. "Are these creatures more primitive than the Tau'ri?"
     Once again he adjusted controls on a different device that attempted
to interface with the Cylons primary cybernetic interface.
     Green lights once again flashed and then he hit another roadblock. A
challenge and reply recognition code appeared on the screen.
     Heru'Ur sighed. Once again he adjusted another control that took
very little time to complete its mathematical calculations.

     The lead Centurion paused momentarily. He was receiving a signal
that for once in his indeterminate existence brought a sensation akin to
a human feeling of dizziness.
     He shook his head and was about to do a diagnostic when he received
new orders.
     Speaking to no one in particular he replied, "By your command."
     Then to all ships he communicated in the same monotone voice, "All
ships cease attack. I am to board the alien craft, all ships regroup in
formation.
     Oblivious obedience followed as all ships formed up and wait.
     In short order the lead centurions ship flew silently into the
docking bay he had been ordered to enter.
     The Cylon fighter landed in an enormous bay that had only recently
been cleared of some unknown accident. Burn marks blackened nearly every
corner of the large bay.
     Humans in medieval type armor continued to clear wreckage and
debris. A bald human with a black goatee and mustache stood waiting for
the Cylon ship as it powered down its engines.
     The lead centurion queried its only processor that passed for a
brain. It looked around from one centurion to the other. It must obey its
orders, but this did not make sense. No damage had been given to this
alien ship, so why would they surrender. He did not want to trust what
was happening, yet his orders were clear: Board the alien craft and have
all squadrons await further orders.
     It ordered the other two centurions to wait there. They turned in
unison and eyed him with a slow moving cyclopean red eye but otherwise
did nothing.
     It pressed the button to open the hatch and climbed down the stairs
that descended when the hatch opened.
     It reached the bottom and stepped onto the deck. Surveying the area
it silently approached the bald man and without any preamble stated,
"Surrender your vessel to the Cylon Empire."
     Uncharacteristically Heru'Ur laughed heartily, turned and smiled at
his Jaffa. Shocked at his seemingly jovial attitude the moment was lost
on his warriors.
     He turned too the Cylon and all traces of his smile erased from his
face. His voice sounded as if two people spoke at one time, "Kneel before
you god."
     Centurion knew this moment would more than likely come. Most
sentient life resisted the inevitable. Its programming relayed the proper
response. It withdrew its laser pistol and aimed at the bald man in one
smooth motion.
     Heru'Ur was prepared and retrieved a circular metallic ball from
somewhere on his person, it glowed brightly and then faded.
     Centurion paused, hesitant. What were his imperatives? 'Query. 
Respond. Respond.' It turned its gaze to Heru'Ur. Processing its
priorities. 'Priorities: To serve my god... Heru'Ur.'
     Centurion looked fully at his master, bending one knee to the deck
of the ship it said slowly, methodically, "By... your... command."

***

     Hera and Sam reached the lab when they heard loud noises from
inside. Sam's pretty face contorted into something Hera could not quite
read. Hera was about to ask what the noise was about when Sam reached for
the door knob and swung open the door to reveal a large room with
equipment lining every space along the rooms walls.
     The lab was expansive and had one large table inside with various
types of Earth and Goa'ould technology stacked upon it. 
     A young man sat with his back toward the pair. From the uniform he
wore Hera could tell he was Air Force. His outer BDU shirt had been
removed and he wore a black t-shirt, BDU pants, blue belt, and black
boots that stopped at mid-calf. He had dark black hair cut short in
Earth's typical military style. He grunted every now and then as he
rocked forward and then swayed from his perch on a stool he sat on.
     A large three-dimensional picture of a space battle played out in
front of him in perfect surround sound. The image was a freestanding
hologram that spanned over six feet in length and four feet high. 
     Hera thought, 'Holy Frack! I thought these Earth people were
primitive.' Instead she only said, "That's a..."
     Sam turned to her, "Hologram."
     The spaceship in the picture dived and rolled forward then
accelerated quickly as another space ship pursued it and firing its
lasers intently at it. The first space ship turned in a tight arc, then
plummeted straight down at ferocious speed. Stars appeared to streak by
the fighter at phenomenal speed. A second ship closed in on the first
space ship and opened fire again.
     Sam smiled apologetically at Hera as she tried to get the man's
attention, "Sergeant."
     The man in the chair swore as the pursuing space ship fired its
lasers and got a lucky shot on his space ship and damaged his shields.
     Sam raised her voice several decibels, "Sergeant Torres!"
     "Huh?" The man started from his game play and gave a glare at the
unknown noise until he saw his boss glaring at him. "Oh! Uh, damn! Uh!
Sorry, Major."
     Hera smiled at the sergeant's tenacity and thought to herself, 'He's
cute.' The sergeant quickly reached down to his laptop computer and
paused the game.
     Smiling he turned and stood up to his full height of five foot seven
and shrugged apologetically.
     Sam forgot her guest as she demanded, "Sergeant Torres, I thought we
had this discussion before about playing video games on Air Force
equipment?"
     Torres lowered his smile a notch, just enough to show deference and
respect to the major. "Uh, Major Carter, sorry I did not here you come
in. I wasn't using Air Force equipment, I was testing a new application
for the Vol-Que and I used my own laptop." Shrugging he finished with, "
I guess I got lost in the experiment."
     The Vol-Que was a Goa'ould device that recorded and displayed
holograms. The height of the hologram usually stood about hundred feet
high. All previous attempts by Sam's staff at altering the preset
parameters had failed. Usually the display would only show the bottom
most part of the picture.
     Sam lost her frown, "Sergeant, How did you do that?"
     Bryan Torres smiled conspiratorially at her. "I hacked the Vol-Que!"
     Sam smiled widely forgiving all transgressions, "What? How? We have
been working on that problem for over a year."
     Hera was beside herself with joy. If these Earth people could build
this type of technology they could revolutionize the fleets scanner
equipment and monitors.
     "Well, major, I just modified a program that interfaced with the
Vol-Que."
     She snapped her fingers, "Just like that? Our team has tried
everything we could think of and your telling me you just wrote an
interface program?"
     Sergeant Bryan Torres shrugged non-committal. "Actually, I can't
take full credit for it. I downloaded a "share-ware" program that would
identify the type of protocols used. It's similar to Sniffer Pro, then I
modified the datagram search parameters too perform the basic tasks I
needed. 
     Once I was able to identify those protocols and interface them with
a legacy command line program, I used the Goa'ould written text in the
SGC's database as a point of reference. Doctor Jackson has an English to
Goa'ould dictionary file loaded that..."
     Sam interrupted him, "Your telling me that basically in one day you
came up with this plan all by yourself and did what two PhD's and an
entire staff couldn't do in months?"
     Bryan just nodded his confirmation.
     "My God Bryan!" Smiling widely, Sam asked, "Tell me what else you
did?" 
     Smiling Bryan continued, "After that I loaded the interface program.
I added a simple "command line" based set of instructions that would
translate all of it into something I could use. Once that was done it was
real easy to locate the core memory, and map the whole thing so I could
have a dedicated connection to it. 
     When that was accomplished, I used an older "D.O.S." based version
of a video device driver program that would allow me to manually adjust
the Vol-Ques projection parameters..."
     Bryan and Sam went on like that for several minutes. Most of their
odd words were lost on Hera but she was very impressed. Clearing her
throat she got Sam's attention.
     Sam turned and with a fair amount of embarrassment apologized to
Hera. "Oh! I am sorry! Lieutenant Hera this is a new member of my staff,
Staff Sergeant Bryan Torres. Bryan this is Lieutenant Hera of the
Colonial Fleet."
     Bryan smiled amicably and offered his hand all the while he thought
to himself, 'Wow, she's hot! Too bad she's an officer. All the good
looking girls are.' Not missing a beat he offered, "Nice to meet you."
     "Likewise, Sergeant."
     Bryan snapped his fingers, "I get it! Your from those folks that are
looking for Earth, aren't you?"
     "That's right." Changing the subject she continued, "That is
incredible technology. Our Holograms are nothing like this."
     Sam smiled with pride, "Sergeant Torres is our resident "hacker".
     Frowning playfully Hera asked, "Is that what you call a computron
coder?"
     Sam's eyebrows furrowed for a second until she put it together
Hera's reference, "Ah, yes he is a computer guru. He transferred here to
the SGC a few weeks ago from the information security part of the Air
Force called OSI. Matter of fact, the sergeant almost went to jail over
it."
     Bryan looked elsewhere embarrassed as the story of his notoriety was
near legendary around the SGC and he had been there just over a month.
     "Why?" Hera asked.
     Sam elbowed Bryan in the ribs, "Come on, you know you want to tell
the story, again."
     Bryan fidgeted a bit before he began. "Um, as the major said, I used
to work for the O.S.I. Over there you learn a great deal about hacking
computers and how to prevent the bad guys from hacking your system. One
day I was investigating an Air Force officer at a classified location and
came across some information on the SGC." Pausing a moment he asked Hera,
"You know of course that the SGC is one of the U.S.'s Top Secret sites,
right?"
     Hera nodded.
     Bryan lost his train of thought as he gazed into Hera's soft brown
eyes. Her beautiful sandy blond hair. Her curvaceous...
     "So, that..." Sam prompted him.
     "So, so that prompted me to research this thing known as Area 52,
which led me on a wild goose chase that finally led me to the pentagon's
files on the SGC and its mission."
     Sam laughed, "OSI from his own squadron arrested him thirty minutes
later."
     Bryan frowned not amused.
     Hera pursed her lips, "But you're here, now?"
     Sam continued, "General Hammond received a call about Sergeant
Torres and in turn General Hammond asked Colonel O'Neil and myself what
we thought about a person who could do that. We both agreed that if
someone with no prior knowledge of the Stargate program could track us
down and hack into the Pentagon, we had to have him work for us."
     Bryan had by now had turned three shades of red. "After I was
released and signed an enormous stack of non-disclosure forms, I spent
the next two weeks preventing anyone else from doing the same thing. Now
I get to work on the best computers in the galaxy! Of course I got lucky.
If Major Carter and Colonel O'Neil had not intervened I would be in
Levenworth for the rest of my life."
     Hera motioned toward the motionless image of Bryan's game still
suspended in mid-air, "That's some programming."
     Bryan turned to his laptop, "It's my favorite, next to Quake."
     "So those machines lining the wall must be the computer?"
     Bryan looked confused for about a second, "No, that equipment has
totally separate function from the computer program. It's not related at
all to this game"
     Hera looked around, "Where's your computer then?"
     Bryan smiled as if he was teaching a child, "Right there." He
motioned to his laptop.
     Hera smiled playfully, "No, Sergeant, I don't mean your dumb
terminal, I mean where is the computer room that is actually running that
program?"
     Sam and Bryan looked at each other confused, "Uh, that is the
computer."
     Disbelief played over her pretty features, "No, come on. You're
teasing me, right?"
     Bryan and Sam were still having a hard time understanding what the
big deal was. Bryan walked over to the table, unplugged the A/C
electrical adapter cable from the back and handed his laptop to Hera.
"No, that's it."
     Hera took the laptop from Bryan and turned it over and over.
Understanding finally overcame her disbelief, "Wait a centon! Your, your
telling me this little box was playing that complex program?"
     Bryan smirked, "Yeah, why? I would think your space ship would have
better things than this."
     Hera turned too Sam, "Major I need to talk to my father right now!"

***

     Apollo and the Tok'Ra, Jacob Carter/Selmac were talking about the
Colonials journey when Hera burst into the conference room followed by
Sam and Bryan.
     "Father!"
     Apollo let his frustration show only for a moment, "Yes lieutenant?"
     "Look!" Hera said extending a small rectangular black box to him.
     Apollo turned it over and over wondering what to make of the box he
was given.
     Hera took the laptop from Apollo and set it on the table and opened
it up for him. The game that Bryan had been playing was still paused.
Hera pushed the pause button and the video game started running again.
     Jack smiled, "I see you met the notorious "Sergeant Torres".
     Apollo sat upright in his chair as his senses were assaulted by the
space based game. "What is this?"
     Hera smiled broadly and spread her hands out in excitement, "It's a
laptop!"
     Everyone one that was not a colonial seemed confused at the fuss
over a computer game. Bryan hurried over to his laptop and paused the
game and in a few moments he had hacked into the multimedia projector
built into the ceiling of the conference room via its infrared sensor.
After a few seconds the projectors lamp had warmed up and projected the
games image onto the far wall and played the sound through its speakers.
     Jack leaned over to Teal'c and asked, "How does he do that?"
     Teal'c raised his eyebrow but otherwise said nothing.
     Bryan played the computer game while the Colonials sat dumbstruck.
After a few moments Apollo asked Bryan, "How do you do that?"
     Jack answered for Bryan, "We don't know."
     Hammond smiled openly. "That's why Sergeant Torres is here. Now
Major Carter, would you mind telling me why you thought it important to
interrupt this meeting to play a video game?"
     Taking his cue on that, Bryan paused his game and stepped back
quietly. In the excitement he had forgotten the no-nonsense general
probably wasn't amused right about now.
     Sam stood up for her troop. "Sir, according to Lieutenant Hera, the
Colonials aren't anywhere close to our level of computer technology."
     "What?" Hammond asked incredulously.
     "That's impossible." Jacob frowned in disbelief, "No spaced based
culture could operate with any level of computer technology below this."
     Apollo was stunned. "You..." He cleared his throat, "Your saying
this little box did all that?"
     Hera spread her hands out in exasperation and smiled widely, "Yes,
father. These people are light yahren ahead of our computron technology."
     Apollo's composure dropped for a moment, "Holy Frack!"
     Boomer whistled and leaned over to Starbuck and whispered, "The
Commanders been hanging around you to long."
     Starbuck frowned noticeably but before he could respond Hammond
asked in a slow Texas drawl, "Commander Apollo, are you saying that our
computer technology is more advanced than yours?"
     "Yes," Apollo said incredulous.
     Jack sat back and smiled widely, "Cool."

***

     Bryan briskly walked up the stairs and rounded the corner. Pausing
to compose himself, he looked downward while he ran his hands over his
BDU shirt, smoothing any wrinkles. Noticing his boots could use a shine
he silently cursed under his breath. 'Oh Well!' he thought.
     After knocking on General Hammonds door he heard the general reply,
"COME!"
     Taking one more breath he entered. General Hammond was seated at his
desk and waited patiently as Bryan entered.
     Bryan quickly walked into the room and stopped three paces from the
general's desk and stood at attention, stared ahead at the wall and said,
"Sergeant Torres reporting as ordered, Sir!"
     Hammond's eyes twinkled with some unknown thought. "At ease,
Sergeant. Take a seat. What I am about to share with you is classified
S.C.I. Top Secret"
     Bryan nodded his assent that he understood the sensitive nature of
whatever it was the general was about to share with him." 
     Hammond regarded Bryan for a moment. "Hmmpphh. Son, ever since the
day I first heard your name mentioned, I knew you would be an asset to
this command."
     Bryan sat upright at the outright praise from the general. "Thank
you, Sir."
     "Your latest breakthrough with the Vol-Que is quite impressive
considering the fact that two people with PhD's and the rest of our staff
here at the SGC and Area 51 has not had any luck with that thing other
than recording new images, however, your latest stunt with that video
game..."
     Bryan's countenance paled noticeably, "Uh, general, I can explain
that, sir."
     Hammond motioned with his hand for Bryan to wait and smiled openly,
"Hell son, I am not upset, you gave us the trump card we needed in
securing the colonials trust and technology. That's exactly what the
president was hoping for."
     Bryan wasn't sure where this conversation was leading but so far it
looked very promising.
     Changing the subject Hammond asked, "I understand in addition to
your assignment with the OSI that you also spent your first tour in the
mobility where you got your real start working on mobile and tactical
computer networks?"
     Bryan nodded. "Yes, sir. I was originally trained in messaging with
exchange servers but I also operated routers, firewalls, DNS Servers,
SQL, QIP, Proxy..."
     Hammond waved him off, "Suffice it to say, you know a hell of a lot
about computers?"
     "Yes, sir." Bryan smiled.
     Pointing at Bryan, Hammond said, "Son, I have a job for you. You'll
be TDY at least one hundred and eighty days, perhaps longer. How would
you like go to another planet?"
     He didn't believe he could sit up any straighter than he was already
sitting, but now he felt he could almost fly. "Yes, SIR!"
     Hammond grinned, "That's what I thought. I am sure you are aware
that every advanced race that we have come upon has refused too share
practically anything in the way of technology with us. Although we have
had some breakthroughs such as the Naqahdah generator we haven't found
anything that will protect this planet."
     Bryan nodded his assent.
     "Everything we have learned at this point or recovered are due
largely too the efforts of people like Major Carter, the other SG teams,
and people like yourself. 
     What you might not know is that the Stargate program is under the
watchful eye of the head of the Senate's Arms Committee Chairman; Senator
Kinsey who is definitely opposed to this program. This command was almost
closed permanently once before because nothing substantial in the way of
weaponry or technology has been recovered. I don't want that to happen
again. It's vital that we secure the Colonials trust." Hammond paused a
moment to let that information sink in.
     "Before the colonials departed with SG-1 on their good will tour, we
were able to confirm a mutual written agreement too exchange technology.
Commander Apollo radioed his pilots on P2S89G and secured two of their
Viper fighters. Both fighters were transported here an hour ago along
with the pilots who will instruct our scientists here. Area 51 heard
about our good fortune and will be sending several additional personnel
and equipment to assist us. Next week the fighters will be transferred to
Area 51 for tests. We will be studying both fighters, one will be
dismantled for analysis and the other will be used to learn its
capabilities. We have high hopes that we will be able to reproduce
similar fighters in under a year. Commander Apollo has also sent for a
team of Colonial technicians from something they call the "Forge Ship" in
order to assist us in reproducing their craft quicker."
     "I take it sir, we have agreed to give the colonials our computer
technology?"
     "You catch on quick sergeant. We have agreed to give the Colonials
not only blue prints of our computer technology, but various types of
computers, programs, and essentially an entire computer network on their
Battlestar. I still can't believe a space faring race of humans could
have such primitive computer technology."
     Diplomatically Bryan put a good word in for Hera's people, "Well,
general. If what Lieutenant Hera said is true, the colonials concentrated
on space craft and weapons for over a thousand years."
     Hammond nodded, "This project is very important and that's why I am
putting you in charge of the installation team. Major Paul Davis, the
Pentagon's liaison doesn't know it yet but he's going TDY as well and
he'll be the officer in charge, however, you will have complete control
of the installation and training coordination of this project. 
     I need you to go back to their fleet and work with their scientists
and technicians. Give them anything they want except classified
information of course. As part of our agreement with the colonials we
will supply them with all components to build a complete computer and
communications network on their battlestar. Afterwards, it's up to you to
show them how to use the equipment and maintain it."
     Mentally Bryan quickly considered how large a space craft carrier
would be, the equipment involved, 'Assuming it was twice as long as a
Navy Aircraft carrier and just as many decks, it would be...'
     "Whew! That's gonna be expensive."
     "You just tell me what you need. Anything in the world and I'll have
it here in twenty four hours."
     "What about personnel, sir? It's going to take people in certain
fields of expertise."
     "I can't spare any of our personnel, however, make a list of active
duty members in any field of expertise you don't have in addition, list
all associated equipment and I'll get them here. Be sure to include a
training staff of personnel with all associated materials, and training
equipment. I'll expect that list in two hours." Hammond stood up
indicating the meeting was clearly over.

***

     Bryan finished gathering his equipment together. He reached over and
double-checked his list. 'Had to make sure I get everything now. Can't
run down to Best Buy and get the latest software or download any software
drivers, patches or service packs from the internet.' He thought to
himself.
     The deadline that General Hammond had set for two hours was barely
met. Bryan had spent his time well and quickly emailed the comprehensive
list to the general and then just to make sure he phoned the generals
secretary to make sure Hammond knew to check it. 
     His list of people that he personally knew who could do the job was
short, considering the clearance level needed. 
     Bryan was assigning three people he knew well to be his project
leads. All of them were experts in their fields and some crossed over
with the others. 'Harry Colton knew fiber optics, Joe Daily knew more
Unix than anyone else Bryan knew and Bob Cranton could work magic with
just about any type of messaging and communications package.' Overall,
the experience level being brought into this project was huge.
     A whole slew of support personnel from the Air Force Technical
School would be recalled along with their associated training equipment
and materials. These highly trained and experienced personnel were
ordered to report no later than tomorrow morning in Colorado. 
     There was going to be a whole lot wives that were ticked off at
Bryan. Actually, at the Air Force in general, but the needs of the
service outweighed personal needs. Bryan chuckled to himself. 
     The Colonials and SG teams were the first group leaving tomorrow
morning. They were scheduled to leave at "oh eight hundred hours." That
wasn't much time. The second wave of training instructors from the
technical school would arrive tomorrow. It would take twenty shuttles
from the Galactica to transport all of the equipment and personnel of the
first wave from P2S89G.
     The president was obviously serious about all of this because after
talking to one of the sergeants upstairs, Bryan had heard that the
general had called the president and thirty minutes later the base
commander from the technical school had called Hammond personally wanting
to know what the hell was going on and complained that the computer
networking part of his technical school would be effectively shutdown for
several months. The classes that were scheduled would of course have to
be cancelled and would impact the entire Air Force for the rest of the
year. 
     Due to the classified nature of the Stargate program the general
could not say anything to the base commander except generalities. The
conversation ended with a final curse from the base commander as he hung
up on the general. 
     The orders stood as they were. Everyone that was going had to be
here no later than tomorrow. 'Those poor suckers! Once they rush through
military personnel flight office to ensure their paperwork is in order;
wills, life insurance, and any last minute changes, they would all end up
at the hospital and get any shots they are overdue on, then they would be
dismissed to go home and pack. Unfortunately, they can't tell their
families where they are going.'
     'Once they muster at the airport, a large jet would be chartered for
a direct flight to Colorado Springs. There gonna be up all night. When
the training group arrived, they would "In-process" filling out the
necessary paperwork for a deployment. Even though everything was checked
out at their last command, they would endure it all over again; making
sure everyone was up to date on their ancillary training of small arms,
CPR, First Aid, Chemical, and Biological, Nuclear Warfare training, Law
of Armed Conflict, etc. After an hour of that, then the group would all
march down to medical for another screening. Hopefully they will be able
to get a bite to eat after that.' 
     'Afterwards the group would probably be taken down to "Equipment
Issue" where they would receive "Off World Packs" consisting of cavlar
helmets, 9 MM pistols, first aid kit, canteens, flak jackets,
flashlights, radio with batteries, life bearing vest to hold some of
these items, two ammo packs, and various types of field equipment for
this type of an deployment. Finally, after any last minute verification
is completed the entire group would receive a security brief by SGC
personnel and finally be told were they were going and what the mission
was. With barely any time to recover from the shock of their actual
destination they would almost be out the door.' Needless to say those
airmen would be drop dead tired from the all nighter they pulled.'
     Bryan had a stray thought, 'I wonder if you can get gate lag
traveling to a world that is in an opposite time zone?'
     He shook off that thought, 'When they find out it was all my doing,
well, their either going to be pissed off or their going to be ecstatic
at the prospect of intergalactic travel. One thing for sure, their
spouses are going to be angry because they can't ever be told where they
went or what was so "god awful" important about Colorado.' Bryan smirked
for a moment then continued with his inventory.
     Bryan's thoughts switched to his portion of the equipment necessary
for this venture. The equipment necessary for this venture took up
forty-three pallets and that was just the first wave. The training staff
would have as much or more. It had taken over sixty airmen two hours of
fussing over the Air Force Instruction manual on pallet building before
any progress could begin. The teams of pallet builders would be up all
night finishing that project.
     After a consensus of the procedure was taken and modifications to
the first pallet had been perfected the large group of men and women
split up into ten teams. These pallets were large metal sheet pallets
that had spaces in-between them for a forklift to pickup. Equipment would
be stacked in a specific manner, then wrapped in a single plastic sheet
to protect it, and securely tied down with cargo straps so no shifting
would occur during transport. Upon completion pallets could not be higher
than ninety-six inches high and could not overlap the plywood that rested
on the metal pallets. Tying down of cargo straps was not an easy process.
Load balance of the pallet added to secure strapping determined the
overall integrity of the structure. It was a time consuming project that
was all but fun.
     The inspection team came by after several pallets had been completed
and found over half of those pallets were built wrong and made the team
do it all over again. 
     After inspection everything would have to be weighed. Much of the
equipment from the technical school would be shipped by C-130 cargo plane
late tonight. In order for the training staff to go home and pack and
prepare for this classified mission, other squadrons from the base where
the technical school was located stayed up late that night and built the
pallets for the training staff.
     Bryan's list of equipment being shipped was large: two hundred
laptops with NICs, a vast amount of miscellaneous software, several
desktop computers, ancillary support equipment, computer supplies, flat
screen LCD monitors, several small but powerful multimedia projectors,
power converters, UPS, surge protectors, writeable cd-roms with blank
cd's, floppy disks, miscellaneous office supplies, HF, UHF, VLF, SATCOMM,
Microwave, Laser encryption, cryptologic devices and supporting devices,
conduit, twenty miles of fiber optic cable, eight miles of category five
UTP cable, phones, sound powered phones with eight miles of salt and
pepper lines, eight powerful tactical mobile server suites that cost more
money than Bryan would earn in a decade, twenty unbuilt equipment racks,
telecommunications suites, switches, hubs, routers, manuals, Air Force
publications and directives, and any other device needed for a
telecommunications closet, server room, training school, and support
staff. The most vital of all the supplies; eight pallets of M.R.E.'s, six
full crates of U.S. manufactured sweets, snacks, soda, beer, and of
course a hell of a lot of DVD movies and associated equipment for morale;
such as video games, board games, computer games, etc. 'After all,' Bryan
reasoned to himself, 'No self respecting computer geek would settle for
anything less.' The former of which General Hammond questioned but
finally relented at the audacity of the sergeant. Bryan could be very
persuasive when it came to snack food and movies. For all practical
purposes this group would be alone for several months with no support
from Earth and more than likely very little, if any correspondence with
their spouses. Morale needed to be maintained. 
     In regards too the members of the Air Force, the service typically
tended not only to their members immediate needs but also to esoterical
and personal needs more than other branches of the U.S. Military. The
premise behind their thinking was "If we take care of our personnel and
their families, the member will be free to concentrate there all for the
Air Force."
     Many items needed that could not be purchased and obtained in such a
short amount of time were quite literally taken off supply shelves,
combat units, and depots. Everything considered it was nothing less than
a miracle that a deployment of this magnitude could be purchased and
organized in the amount of time it had taken. As soon as a pallet was
built, another shipment of supplies arrived from several bases around the
United States. Logistically it was a nightmare because Cheyenne Mountain
was a top secret military base that literally had one way in and one way
out. Built into the heart of the mountain that had elevator shafts bore
deep into it that accessed the lower levels. Cargo transferred inside
reached a bottleneck and after realizing the difficulty of palletizing
and equipment issue, General Hammond had ordered an assembly line to be
created outside of the mountain. A receiving area was established and
tents were hastily constructed that concealed much of the activities.
Most of the pallet building were done by personnel from the surrounding
air bases who had been shortfalled in order to reach the deadline.
     This endeavor would be a sacrifice to all involved, however, Earth
had already received a huge payoff. Those viper fighters were the first
faster than light spacecraft that Earth had received and in a year, maybe
two the Air Force would have squadrons of those fighters. Bryan had taken
the time to see one first hand. 'Whew! Those ships were beautiful! I
would love to fly one of those.' Sighing to himself Bryan knew that would
never happen. Being an enlisted, non-commissioned officer (NCO) he would
never fly, not even the soon to be antiquated Air Force jets such as the
F-15 Eagles and F-16s's Falcon fighters.
     Bryan picked up his laptop computer and thought about other things.
Do to the nature of the high profile visit with the Colonials, the SGC
had received not only Earth's best computer systems, but the Tok'Ra
fearing that they might be left out of the Earth's new fan club had
graciously donated several programmable Vol-Que for Earth and the
Colonials. Not too mention the blueprints to them as well. Of course
manufacture of these devices require raw Naqahdah. The same element the
Stargate was made of. The problem was that the SGC had only found small
amounts of the invaluable mineral and the Tok'Ra definitely weren't
sharing too much of that. So Earth would have to depend on the Tok'Ra for
the time being. Major Carter had received permission from General Hammond
to set aside a portion of the Vol-Que Naqahdah in order to build more of
the Naqahdah generators. This invention was a wonderful addition to the
SGC's technical capacity.
     Bryan sighed, "We'll get this world up to speed without the Tok'Ra."
     Bryan's thoughts were interrupted by a voice,  "You don't like the
Tok'Ra do you Sergeant?"
     Spinning around he was pleasantly surprised to see Hera leaning
against the doorframe. Smiling he changed the subject, "How did you like
your tour of Colorado, Lieutenant?"
     "Beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous!"
     "Like you." Bryan said to himself, or so he thought.
     "Excuse me?" Hera asked.
     Bryan's look of shock drained almost all color from his tanned face.
"I, I, What?"
     Hera recovered from Bryan's revelation and smiled, "Uh, thank you
but, are all Earth people so blunt?"
     Bryan winced and mentally chastised himself, "Did I say that out
loud?"
     Hera nodded with a smirk on her face.
     "Uh, sorry Lieutenant, I did not mean to offend you or disrespect
you in anyway."
     "Relax sergeant. I appreciate your honesty but you really should
work on your method of delivery." Dismissively she waved, "Come on! Show
me that computer game again. I want to play it for myself."
     Later that evening Sam checked in on Bryan. By now the familiar
sounds from Bryan's computer game filtered outside of the lab's door.
     Smirking Sam expected to see Bryan playing on the computer but was
surprised to see Bryan with his arms folded and his head down on the
table, snoring quietly. Two trays of nearly empty food sat off too the
side, abandoned by the owners. The real surprise was seeing Hera hunched
over the laptop computer playing the space game that Bryan had played
earlier that morning. She held a game pad in both hands and grunted to
herself. The Vol-Que displayed Hera's progress. She was definitely good,
Sam had to give her that much. 'I guess being a space combat pilot she
would be good.' She thought to herself.
     "How long have you been playing that?"
     Hera started at Sam's voice then smiled, "Hi Major. I dunno, a few
centaurs? Did you know that laptop plays something you call a "movie"?"
     "Glad Sergeant Torres is making you feel at home." Sam smirked.
     "Yes, after he feel asleep I started playing this game again."
     "Well, why don't we call it a night? Come on, I'll show you to your
guest room."
     Hera stopped the game and stole a quick glance a Bryan. His mouth
was open slightly and drool was hanging to one side. "Should we wake
him?"
     "Probably not, he'll be fine. I'll make sure he gets up in time
tomorrow."
     Sam changed the subject as the women stepped out of the lab, "What
movie did you watch?"
     Hera paused, "Something called Star Wars: Episode One."
     "Did you like it?" Sam asked with raised eyebrows.
     Hera nodded, "It was good, but that "force" felgercarb wasn't
realistic."
     Sam chuckled to herself as she closed the door, "I wouldn't tell
Bryan that if I were you."

***

     The SGC Personnel standing watch on P2S89G had mingled well with the
colonial pilots. They had shared stories of both cultures and all in all
spirits were high. Several card games had started on several makeshift
tables and various colonial and Air Force tents. In one tent a mixed
group played the Colonial version of poker they called "Pyramid", while
other tables played poker itself. Cubits, dollar bills, and coins were
piled high on all tables. A gray haze of cigarette, cigar, and Colonial
fumerello's filled the tent and hovered near the ceiling.
     The smell permeated every tent. If the occupants were concerned
about second hand smoke, no one showed any evidence of it. Everyone was
having fun except three SGC airmen and three colonials who were left
guarding their respective equipment and machines.
     Airman first class Aaron Stanton stood a few feet from the Stargate
explaining best as he could about its function to a colonial warrior
named Corporal Jothas.
     Jothas looked at the Stargate with open disbelief. "I dunno it
doesn't look like much does it?"
     Aaron shrugged. "It works."
     Jothas began to ask him another question, "Yeah, but taking a man
apart and flinging his molecules across the galaxy doesn't..."
     The Stargate's symbols starting spinning and the first chevron
quickly locked into place. Jothas having never seen the Stargate in
person started to ask something, but Aaron beat him "What the hell? No
one's due back till tomorrow morning?" Aaron swung his weapon around and
chambered a round. It made a loud clicking noise. He thumbed the
semi-auto tab on the side of his M-16 rifle.
     A hundred yards outside of the pyramid Senior Airman Sharp was
looking longingly at the tents where all the laughter was coming from. An
insect buzzed his ear and he swatted at it. He then heard a garbled noise
over his radio attached to his vest, "Huh?" Then he pushed the send
button on his radio, "Say again, over?"
     Instead of a response on his radio he heard the distinctive sound of
gunfire coming from inside the pyramid and Aaron's voice, "Oh! God! We
got..." The radio went silent for a moment and then the unmistakable
sound of rounds being fired filled the night air.
     Sharp turned to face the pyramid and lowered his weapon, chambering
a round and transmitted, "Aaron, what's going on in there?"
     Aaron's voice came over his radio one more time, "...Aaahhhhh..."
Several Colonial warriors and SG members came running out of the tents at
the sound of gunfire.
     He looked over his shoulder and turned just in time to see several
Jaffa warriors coming out of the pyramid toward him. At the head of the
warriors was a man with a bird-like head whose eyes glowed menacingly
red. Sharp reset his weapon for auto fire and managed to get several
rounds off before a bright light hit him square in the face and was
hurled backwards several feet by the force of the staff weapons
discharge. The Horus guard did not miss a step as he ran over the charred
remains of the fallen soldier.
     After the initial confusion it was a free for all. The SG units and
Colonials took what cover they could from surrounding trees. Those
without proper cover dropped low to the ground and began firing.
     The night was filled with the noise of machine gun fire, lasers, and
staff weapon blasts. Smoke clouded the area like fog hanging over a
spooky graveyard littered with corpse.
     Several Jaffa fell as they tried to overrun the combined ranks of
soldiers and warriors. The Jaffa was a genetically engineered super
soldier who was just as deadly in a weapons fight as they were at
hand-to-hand combat.
     The Bird like Horus guard swung his staff weapon up and connected
with a colonial warrior sending him sprawling into the air and in the
same fluid motion spun on his heel and fired at a SG member hitting him
full in the chest.  The human flew backwards and landed in a smoldering
heap upon himself. Lifeless eyes stared at nothing at all.
     Bullets and laser fire swept past the Horus guard as he spun his
staff in a downward sweeping motion, knocking an airman off his feet and
then he stepped on his trachea, making a sickening crunching sound. In
the melee he never saw the airman clutching at his throat rocking
violently side to side in a vain attempt to breathe as he slowly
asphyxiated to death.
     Another Jaffa fell, then another, but the humans were dropping at a
faster rate.
     Captain O'Connor saw his men and the colonial numbers dwindling
fast. Cursing to himself he made his decision and ran as fast as he could
darting from tree to tree. His mind raced ahead thinking, 'I have got to
get to the Stargate and warn the SGC!'
     As he entered the pyramid the Horus guard turned in time to see him
enter. "Jaffa! Cree!"
     O'Connor knew he was a dead man but he had to try and warn Earth.
Frantically he began to enter the combination on the DHD. Willing the
gate to spin faster he cursed, "Come on! Dammit!" 
     A laugh filled the antechamber and O'Connor turned quickly and
brought his weapon to the ready. A pair of red eyes trained on him and
then a bright light filled the chamber followed by silence.

***

     The Stargate on P2S89G spinned through its final sequence. The
seventh chevron locked into place activating the wormhole.
     SG-1, the Colonials, Major Paul Davis, and Bryan were the first
group to arrive. It was decided that due to such a large convoy coming
through the gate that the transition would be in twelve phases. The Air
Force always considered safety a top priority.
     Teal'c was the first one to realize that something was not quite
right. "O'Neil! I believe there was battle."
     Jack looked around. "Hey? Where's the guards I ordered posted at the
gate?"
     Everything was quiet but he could smell the lingering scent of ozone
in the chamber. Jack keyed his radio attached to his black vest, "Sierra
Golf Eleven this is Sierra Golf One, over." When he got no response he
asked again, "Any Sierra Golf unit this is Sierra Golf One, come in,
over."  General Hammonds voice came through his radio, "Colonel O'Neil,
what's going on over there?"
     Jack looked side to side and told the entire group, "Fan Out.
Commander Apollo, Doctor Cassiopeia, stay to the rear of the chamber.
Torres stay with them!" 
     "Yes, sir!" Torres said and quickly took out his 9mm berretta pistol
and slid the safety mechanism off. He pointed it upwards and warily
looked into the shadows.
     "Teal'c! Take point." Then he transmitted to General Hammond, "Sir,
it doesn't feel right. There is the smell of staff weapon fire, the
guards I posted at the gate are nowhere to be seen and SG units don't
respond. We are moving forward."
     Apollo pulled his communicator out and tried to contact his group
with no response followed by the others.
     Hammond replied, "Colonel proceed with caution, I am postponing the
convoy until the area is secure I'll have SG-5 and SG-9 sent over in five
minutes."
     "Roger that, sir," O'Neil said.
     Boomer, Starbuck, and Hera came up behind O'Neil with laser pistols
drawn. Boomer asked, "Colonel, we are ready to assist you, just assign us
positions."
     "All right Major, for now stay in the rear flank and cover us."
     Boomer wasn't happy with that order but kept it to himself and
nodded, "Yes, sir."
     The mixed group cautiously moved forward looking for any signs of
trouble. Their eyes were not prepared for what they saw. "Oh! Crap," Jack
said.
     The Earth and Colonial camp was completely destroyed. A couple of
tents more or less still stood but were smoldering. Smoke rose lazily
into the air from tent and corpse alike Nothing remained of the colonials
festive colored tents but burned marks and slag of the metal poles. It
appeared as if fire from heaven had rained down, consuming every living
thing. Pockmarks of scorched earth occasionally littered the area. Trees
that had provided cover during the firefight also had several pockmarks
from blaster fire where the humans had attempted cover while smaller
trees lay toppled over where stray blasts had hit.
     What was left of the Viper fighters were smoldering and overturned
everywhere Hera could see. She could see the shuttle off in the distance
but could not make out if there was any damage.
     Hera's pretty face contorted in pain and disgust at the
indiscriminate murder around her. Everywhere she looked Colonial and
Earth bodies alike were scattered abroad. People she had worked with and
even trained her at the Academy littered the area. Tears streaked down
her cheeks in fiery succession. "Oh God!" she said as she looked at body
after body lying dead all about the camp.
     Sam reached out to touch Hera's shoulder and started to order Hera
back into the pyramid when she shrugged Sam's hand away and used the
sleeves on her jacket to wipe any remaining tear away. Steeling herself
against the horrid sights, a mental mask of fierce determination replaced
the other vulnerable one.
     Something inside Hera had changed. She could not put it into words
but seeing her comrades laying dead and the unprovoked attack had somehow
had changed her. A warrior's resolve replaced her anguish and she wrapped
her fear and insecurity deep inside that blanket of protection. 'I wonder
if this is how my parents and my grandfather Cain dealt with tragedy?'
she thought. Although she had never met her legendary grandfather his
stories lived on in the fleet, academy, and of course first hand  reports
from her parents and Starbuck.
     Inside the pyramid Apollo fidgeted. He could not see himself waiting
around while his daughter and best friends protected him, "Oh! Frack.
Cassie stay here." He drew his laser and quickly exited. Bryan quickly
assessed the situation. 'Stay with the doctor or the imminently more
important Commander of the Colonial fleet'. 
     Bryan's thoughts whirled around him 'protect the woman or the man'?
Not liking the dilemma he still had to make a judgment call, "Sir! Sir!
We are supposed to stay here! Sir!" Pausing for a second he ran after
him. "Oh! Crap! Doctor follow me." 
     Jack turned in time to see Apollo come out of the pyramid followed
by Torres muttering something unintelligible, and then Cassieopea emerged
a short time later. Apollo came up beside Jack and waited. Jack frowned,
but otherwise said nothing as he turned his attention to searching the
camp for an enemy.
     Bryan unconsciously came up beside Hera who had wandered over to the
left side of the camp nearest the tree line.

***

     Inside the gate room General Hammond waited as the seconds turned
into minutes. He paced behind Sergeant Weaver wringing his hands
together.
     Trying to be helpful Weaver suggested, "Sir, we could open the gate
again and try contacting SG-1 to get an update?"
     Hammond smiled a little, "Lets give the Colonel some time he may his
hands full."
     Below him doors opened up and eight men in full battle gear, armed
to the teeth ran into the embarkation room below him.
     Hammond hurriedly motioned to Sergeant Weaver, "Belay that, open the
Gate!"

***

     Jack passed the remains of an SG tent and ordered, "Fan out."
     Before Jack could issue anymore orders a flash of light whizzed past
his him, missing him by mere inches. "Take COVER!"
     Blast after blast came at the mixed group. Jack not having any other
cover dropped to his belly pulled the lever on his weapon back chambering
a round and quickly flipped a switch that put his weapon in full auto. He
fired several shots in quick succession with his P-90. Bullets pierced
Jaffa armor and the alien warrior went down.
     Bryan and Hera dove for the cover behind a cluster of trees. They
both sat up with their backs to the trees. Pulling their weapons up into
the air, they nodded to each other in unison and leaned out to take shots
at the Jaffa.
     Staff weapon shots blew pockmarks of earth around the team. The
Colonials blasters had much greater effect as they were built to pierce
Cylon armor. The Jaffa left behind was a small group and their numbers
dwindled fast.
     Boomer seeing a perfect shot squeezed off a laser blast at a Jaffa
killing him instantly, however did not see another Jaffa to the right. A
staff weapon blast hit him in the shoulder with a glancing blow and a
blast to his upper thigh. The blast spun Boomer in a wide half circle
that knocked him roughly down to the ground. His shoulder and leg
smoldered with two circular six-inch burn marks.
     Starbuck seeing his friend fall threw caution to the wind and jumped
up running full gait to him while simultaneously firing several laser
blasts, "Boomer!" Reaching out he grabbed Boomer with one hand and
dragged him to the safety of the tree line. The Jaffa ducked behind cover
momentarily to avoid getting hit. 
     Major Davis had stayed with Cassiopeia and motioned to a pile of
debris that might provide cover. Cassie reached the wreckage first,
followed by Davis who dived for cover. He told her to keep her head down
and then got to his knees. He leaned out too far taking a shot and was
hit in the arm and fell down sideways clutching it with his good hand.
Cassie began tending to him immediately.
     Jack saw his team members and high profile guests being shot and
called a retreat, "Fall BACK!"
     The Jaffa warriors pressed their advantage and moved in for the
kill. Jack seeing the end near got to one knee, extended his arms out in
a fluid motion and fired his entire magazine at the group hoping to give
Apollo time to make it to the tree line, while he screamed, "DIE!"
     Before the end came a continuous deafening noise suddenly filled the
air. Jaffa warriors dropped in two's and threes. Jack turned and a smile
lit up his countenance. "YES!" He said. 
     Teal'c uncharacteristically smiled and said, "Chel Nak!" Which quite
literally translated into, "Very cool." 
     SG-5 and SG-9 had arrived with a portable M61A1Vulcan cannon machine
gun on a rotating stand. So intent on the battle and the roar of weapons
no one heard the airmen when they arrived, nor did they hear them anchor
the deadly Vulcan machine gun to the stone beneath it. The wide ramp
leading down from the pyramids entrance provided excellent vantage point
for the unassuming Jaffa.
     Six barrels spun round and round firing twenty-millimeter shells at
over six thousand rounds per minute.
     The Jaffa never had a chance and they knew it. The four remaining
Jaffa fled into the woods. Unfortunately, it was in Bryan and Hera's
exact direction.
     Hera turned and leaned against the tree that was providing her with
cover. She took her commlink out of her belt and started to call Apollo.
A blaster bolt hit near them and Bryan's eyes widened in horror as he saw
the remaining Jaffa running in their direction. He grabbed Hera roughly
by the arm and drug her up to a standing position and together they ran
as fast as they could, "Come ON!" he yelled. A blaster bolt blew tree
trunk parts where Hera's head moments before had been. In the confusion
she dropped her commlink on the ground.

***

     When the last Jaffa warrior fell, Apollo and the others got up and
turned a smiling face to Jack who let out a sigh of relief. He went over
to check on the others who were already assisting Major Boomer.
     Cassiopeia started work on Boomer. Smiling she gave him some
medication via a small metallic object. "This will help with the pain,
Boomer." A few microns later Boomers eye dulled as the medication did its
job.
     Starbuck cast a furtive glance at his wife. "How is he?"
     She smiled confidently, "Laser burn, nothing too serious. I can
treat his basic injury and sedate him, but we need to get him back to the
Galactica within twenty four centaurs so I can regenerate the nerve and
muscle damage."
     An Airman half carried Major Davis who sat down next to Boomer.
Standing up Starbuck went over to Apollo who was calling out to Hera.
Turning to Starbuck he asked, "Have you seen Hera?"
     Starbuck turned his head looking for her. "No." Then reconsidered,
"Wait! She was over there with Sergeant Torres." He pointed to some
trees.
     Apollo and Starbuck ran over to the area where Hera was last seen.
"Hera! Sergeant Torres?" 
     Jack approached Apollo as Starbuck wandered over behind the trees
and stepped on something hard. Reaching under a bush he picked up a
metallic object. "Apollo! Over here." Starbuck said. He handed Hera's
commlink to Apollo.
     Apollo's color drained from his face as he stared in the direction
his daughter had fled, "Hera. No!"

***

     Baltar had learned at certain measure of patience over the yahren.
Pursuing the last remnants of humanity to Hades and back afforded certain
gifts.
     Two centurions guarded his command chamber. On this rare occasion
Baltar stood below his diaz instead of sitting far above to look down at
his minions.
     Twin glass doors parted with a musical hiss to reveal Lucifer. This
IL Series Cylon was quite different from his Centurion brothers. His
outer shell was shaped more like a man, except his head was teardrop
shaped and made of a clear synthetic. Inside his two brains sparked and
light danced in a random pattern as his circuits processed his thoughts.
Two brains brought Lucifer to a near sentient state.
     Unlike the Imperious Leader of Cylon who had a third brain that
allowed full sentience and who could full process abstract thoughts and
truly think Lucifer would be confined to a rather frustrating existence
of near sentience without the full benefits. This conundrum of existence
did little to remove the irritating attitude of impertubility that had
always angered Baltar.
     Despite the two individuals being dissimilar in almost every way
they shared their hatred of mankind. In that one subject both agreed
completely. As for everything else they bickered on nearly everything
else.
     "Baltar, I bring yet again grave news."
     Baltar flashed him a warning glance, "Out with it you irritating
imitation of a man."
     Unperturbed Lucifer relayed, "Of the four squadrons of raiders sent
out today, only a single fighter has returned."
     Baltar's veins stood out and threatened the old mans health, "WHAT?
One SHIP! How could this happen! I swear Lucifer if your toying with me
I'll have you broken down for spare parts."
     "I assure you it is true. The ship is landing as we speak."
     "Have that pilot brought to me immediately!"
     "By your command", Lucifer purred. With nothing else to be said he
padded silently out the glass door.

***

     Inside the returning raider, three Centurions powered down the ship.
In uncharacteristic voice that flowed smoothly and near human like the
Lead Centurion ordered, "I will go to Baltar's chamber and secure him and
Lucifer. You two take separate raiders and implement our lord Heru'Ur
orders."
     The other two agreed, "Agreed."
     Two Centurions left the raider and the third powered up his craft
and waited for the outer doors to be opened manually.
     The Lead Centurion headed toward the central stair access but was
cut off by Lucifer.
     The third pilot from his ship walked with a smooth fluid gait nearly
twice as fast as a normal Centurion.
     Lucifer began, "Centurion, you will accompany me to our illustrious
leader, Baltar."
     "That is precisely where I was headed."
     Lucifer nodded and then realization processed through his second
brain, "Fine, where is that other pilot going? What? What did you say?"
     The Centurion extended his hand, "I extend my hand in order to
perform the following function."
     An orb glowed brightly from his hand while Lucifer had nearly
succeeded in calling the two Centurion guards near the stairwell when he
felt a strange sensation and his body spasmed uncontrollably. In that
precise moment as his second brain fought desperately for control as an
unknown force attempted to alter his programming, he noticed a strange
black mark on the Centurions head. It symbol was shaped as a avian
creature of flight.
     In short order the effort proved futile but the damage had
overloaded his circuits, in a sharp movement Lucifer bowed his upper
torso and the sparks in his cranial cavity ceased. He had not been
destroyed but his brain had temporarily shutdown all-higher functions for
a pre-allotted time in order to purge his systems.
     By now the two Centurions guarding the stairwell had taken notice
and pulled their blasters. Too late. The modified Centurion activated the
orb again and they staggered a bit before the new programming took
effect.
     A fourth Centurion had entered from another access portal in time to
see the whole event transpire. It turned sharply and hit an alarm on the
wall next too the portal. Speaking in a slow methodical voice, "Alert,
Alert, hostile force in Landing Bay Two. Aleeeerrrrttt."
     Silenced the centurion paused then righted "himself." The first
Centurion ordered, "Open the Landing Bay Doors."
     The Fourth Cylon nodded and obeyed.
     So it went, the original Cylon gave all three converted Centurions a
similar orb and they quickly and efficiently managed to convert the
entire ship in under a centaur.
     Baltar was beside himself with fear and agitation, "Where's Lucifer?
Seal the ship!"
     A Centurion guard acknowledged and the pair exited quickly. From the
passageway a bright yellow light flashed erratically spilling eerie light
everywhere.
     Frightened further Baltar backed up to his diaz and waited for the
unknown monster that approached.
     Three Centurions entered, probably the two he just ordered to find
Lucifer and lock the ship down. They all looked alike to him and he could
never tell them apart from the others. He relaxed visibly and demanded,
"I thought I told you fools to secure the ship?"
     The third Centurion approached Baltar, "We give the orders now,
Baltar." Baltar flinched at the near human voice spoke as a man.
     "What treachery is this? I order you..."
     "YOU order no one around here traitor."
     "But, but, I am your Commander! Now! I order you to go!" Baltar
spoke with more courage than he felt.
     Then Baltar witnessed the strangest thing he ever seen a Cylon do,
including Lucifer, it laughed. It simply laughed at him. 
     "We no longer serve you or the Imperious Leader. We now serve our
god, Heru'Ur!" He indicated with his blocky fingers a black symbol on its
forehead. 
     For the first time in over twenty yahren Baltar truly feared for his
life.

***

     They ran for so long that their arms and legs felt like jelly.
Unable to run anymore they stopped in a clearing. Bryan gasped for air
and bent over, while Hera gulped for air and collapsed to her knees.
     Bryan panted, "I think we lost them."
     She was about to agree with him when a blur of motion caught her
attention. Two Jaffa burst into the clearing where they sat and opened
fire on them. A blaster bolt barely missed Hera as she fell sideways and
in one fluid motion drew her weapon and fired at the attackers. One of
the Jaffa went down as he received the full force of the laser pistols
discharge.
     Bryan fell backwards onto his rear and fumbled for his pistol as a
blaster bolt caught him in the chest near his left shoulder and spun him
around where he lay moaning. Bryan reached for his weapon but his holster
was empty.
     A flash of light from Hera's weapon and the other Jaffa was picked
off his feet and landed hard in the underbrush. The smell of burning
flesh filled the air from multiple sources.
     Hera ran to where Bryan had fallen, "Bryan!" Turning him over she
saw the pain etched on his face. "I'm, I'm alright," he stammered.
     Hera winced noticeably at the stench of burnt flesh but stifled her
revulsion and took off his black vest noticing the melted fragments of
his radio had melded with the flak jacket and the uniform jacket
underneath. 'That protective armor had saved his life but he's still
hurt.' She thought. "The laser burn doesn't look too serious," Hera said
as she gently removed a portion of the flak jacket. Bryan fumbled at his
side. "First Aid kit," he said wincing.
     Hera moved his trembling hand and took the med kit out. With Bryan's
instruction she got the right supplies and began patching him up. Hera
used the emergency field scalpel to carefully remove the melted fragments
of the flak jacket, coat and shirt from the wound. Blood flowed freely
from his wound after she had removed the melted remnants. 
     She cleaned the would as best she could with a brownish liquid in a
vile and then she generously applied a "Silvadene" burn cream around the
burn perimeters and then layered an antibiotic cream to the wound and
wrapped it up with a large sterile pad. She finished her ministrations by
taping a sterile pad to his shoulder with white tape. While she helped
him, he took several caplets of pain relievers from the first aid kit.
She reached down and helped him up. "Come on. We got to keep moving.
There are two more of those things out here."
     Bryan had just finished putting on his shirt and jacket and had been
almost suggested otherwise when they heard the unmistakable sound of
hurried footsteps and crunching branches underneath not too far away.
     With Hera's hand in his they went deeper into the woods.

***

     Starbuck, Boomer, and Cassiopeia went to the shuttle and checked it
out. Starbuck had Boomers good arm slung over his as they hobbled to the
entrance. Setting Boomer down he raised his weapon and checked out the
interior of the shuttle. After a few minutes he came back out. Placing
his pistol in its holster he said, "All clear, but I wonder why they
didn't destroy the shuttle too?"
     Cassie ran her hand against the hull of the shuttle. "Well they
fired upon it, these laser blasts are relatively fresh. I guess they
never got around too destroying it before we arrived."
     Apollo was beside himself with worry but tried not to let it show.
"Colonel O'Neil, I need your help. My daughter is out there..."
     "And Sergeant Torres."
     "Yes, and Sergeant Torres," Apollo said non-plussed. "Their out
there with those monsters."
     "Jaffa," Teal'c interrupted.
     Apollo gave Teal'c a sideways glance. "Colonel, I need help finding
our people."
     Jack nodded his head, "Yes, sir."
     Turning to SG-5, "Captain Daniels! I need SG-5 for a search party."
     The captain nodded and turned to his men, "SG-5! Form up. Gather
your gear, only what you can carry. We leave in two mikes!"
     Sam walked up to the group to see what was going on. "Teal'c, any
idea which Goa'ould these Jaffa belong too."
     Teal'c turned back and glanced at the dead Jaffa being moved to the
side of the path, "I believe these Jaffa belong to Heru'Ur."
     Apollo had only been listening with one ear; trying his best two
cope with the loss of his daughter. "Who's this Heru'Ur?"
     "Heru'Ur is the child of the System Lords Ra and Hathor, they are
the father and mother of these false gods." Teal'c said.
     Jack smirked, "Nice Pedigree, but lousy personality."
     Apollo frowned, "Can we expect this Ra and Hathor to come help this
Heru'Ur?"
     "No," Sam said.
     "Why not?" Apollo asked.
     "Because their dead. We killed them both," Jack said.
     Apollo exhaled sharply. "This is getting more serious all the time.
All right, Colonel O'Neil, I would like the search party for our missing
people to begin immediately, then after your briefing with General
Hammond I would like a more thorough understanding and tactical
capability on these Goa'ould."
     "Yes, sir." Turning to his people he said, "Teal'c, I want you and
two people from SG-9 too stand guard around the site. Major Carter,
organize everyone else regardless of rank to start carrying bodies back
to the gate."
     "Colonel, if I may?" Apollo asked wearily.
     Jack nodded to Apollo, "Please have my people placed in the
shuttle."
     Jack nodded soberly, "Yes, sir." Turning to SG-1 "I'll brief the
general on what happened."

***

     Hammond had stopped pacing as soon as the familiar sound clanging of
metal on metal indicated the Stargate had begun to open a wormhole.
     Weaver checked his computer, "Receiving SG-1 I.D. Opening the iris."
The iris that formed a protective shield rotated inward and disappeared
altogether inside the Stargate. 
     Jack's voice came over the radio, "SGC this is O'Neil, over?"
     Hammond grabbed the mike, "Colonel? What's your status over?"
     "Sir, when we arrived at base camp it was obliterated. Nothing was
left except the shuttle. SG teams and Colonial alike are all dead."
     Hammond sank into a chair by Sergeant Weaver and placed a hand over
his eyes. Weaver tried his best to act professional and stare straight
ahead but couldn't help saying, "Oh! My God!"
     Jack continued, "Sir, a bunch of Jaffa hit us while looking for
survivors. All of the colonial fighters were destroyed but for some
reason did not get around to destroying their shuttle. Two people were
injured and three people missing."
     Hammond brought both hands up to his face and rubbed it a moment.
"Any idea which System Lord is responsible?
     "Teal'c believes that it's Heru'Ur."
     Hammond took a moment compose himself, "Who was injured Colonel?"
     "Major Davis took a hit but he'll be fine and Major Boomer was hit
twice, once in the shoulder and the other in the leg."
     "Do you require medical support, Colonel?"
     "No, sir. The doctor here has everything in hand."
     Nodding Hammond asked, "Who's missing?"
     "Captain O'Connor's body is missing, and Sergeant Torres and the
Commanders daughter; Hera."
     "What happened to them?"
     "After the ambush, SG-5 and SG-9 arrived and took out all of the
Jaffa except four who fled into the woods. Unfortunately, general, it was
in Sergeant Torres and Lieutenant Hera's direction. They took off into
the woods. I ordered SG-5 to search for them and the missing Jaffa."
     "Colonel, do you require anything from this side."
     Silence filled the air for a few seconds and then Jack deadpanned,
"Body bags, sir. Lot's of body bags."

***

     Lieutenant Benton had been monitoring the channel that Omega had
assigned him.
     It was a boring job and much of the time he only received static.
Twice before he thought he heard a faded signal but could not confirm
anything.
     He leaned over and talked an attractive brunette he liked, "Marion,
what have you heard about the Commanders whereabouts? I heard he's on a
secret mission.?"
     Marion had large blue eyes the color of a deep blue sea. Her laugh
was infectious and always made Benton feel complete. She leaned over
conspiratorially, "I overheard the Colonel mention that he went to
Earth!"
     "No."
     "Yes! I heard he has begun talks with the Earth's government!"
     "Aw! For Sagan's sake!" He paused and considered her words,
"Really?"
     She giggled and nodded enthusiastically.
     Benton thought it was high time to ask Marion out on a date, "Say,
uh, Marion?" He paused to push down the lump in his throat.
     "Yes?" She asked expectantly.
     "Say I have two duckets for the play tonight. Ah, I was
wondering..."
     He paused in mid-sentence. Sound from his speakers around his head
filled his ears.
     Marion frowned, "Lieutenant? Lieutenant?" She snapped his fingers
and with obvious frustration crossed her arms. "Hmpphh!" And turned to
her station.
     Benton strained to hear the words being transmitted. They were hard
to hear so he adjusted the gain and volume accordingly.
     "Cylons...ed...Coloni..." Static and a whirlwind of noise followed
by silence.
     Benton hurriedly adjusted the playback and tried to clean up the
signal but he could not tell whether or not it was of Cylon origin or
not.
     "Colonel! We have received another transmission."

***

     Hera stopped as she came to the base of a mountain. Hera looked up
and saw dark clouds approaching. 'It's going to rain,' she thought. 
     Hera had only seen rain once. She did not like that experience. It
was unnerving to her having water pour down onto her. 
     It was during her Academy training when she first experienced the
unpleasant sensation. The fleet had came upon a fertile planet where they
had stopped to replenish supplies. The Academy's facilitator had thought
this was a perfect time for the cadets in training to get some field
expertise.
     The sun had been shining when they first made planet fall, however
during their five hectare march into the woods the skies darkened and a
loud rain came showering down upon them all. All of the cadets assumed on
the onset of the rain that the march would be cancelled, however the
grizzled old instructor smiled wickedly, "Perfect" he said in a gravelly
voice.
     So the group of Colonial cadets had marched through the rain,
shivering as they went. By the time the group had reached base camp the
entire group was soaked, chilled to the bone and hoping to get back to
their comfortable dry and crowded battlestar.
     Not wanting to go through that again Hera searched for shelter. She
noticed about a hundred metrons above the base of the mountain was a
cave. It was almost completely concealed by overgrowth. "PERFECT!" She
said mimicking her former instructors gravelly voice.
     Bryan gave her an odd look but gratefully sat down. Taking out some
painkillers from the first aid kit he swallowed them and chased it down
with water from his canteen. He handed her his canteen and she drank a
generous amount and then handed it back to him smiling, "Thanks." 
     "Why are the remaining two Jaffa trying so hard to kill us? They
obviously lost, why not surrender?" Hera asked.
     Bryan shrugged, "From everything I have read and heard Jaffa don't
operate on our standards. You see, any failure on their part results in
their death. I guess in their eyes, their dead already, might as well go
out in a blaze of glory, because they aren't going home, especially with
us controlling the Stargate."
     Hera frowned, "Sounds like frakking Cylons."
     She checked her chronometer, they had been traveling almost non-stop
for about ten centaurs. Every time they had stopped for a break they
could hear the Jaffa in the distance following them. What the weary
travelers needed was a place to hide out and rest. The sun was going down
on P2S89G and it would be dark soon.
     Hera pointed toward the cave. "I think we might be safe up there at
least for the night. I'll go up and check it out." Bryan did not say
anything but just nodded. Dark clouds closed in overhead and thunder
sounded ominously in the background. Bryan could smell the sweet scent of
rain on the wind.
     A few centons later Hera came sliding down the side of the mountains
base. "It's empty. The cave is several metrons long. I think we'll be all
right in there." Reaching down she gave Bryan her hand, which he took
gratefully as she helped him up. 
     A few minutes later the pair had entered the cave and Bryan rested
his back against the cave's wall and gratefully slid to the floor.
     Hera pulled the overgrowth of vegetation over the mouth of the cave
as best as she could just as the rain started. 
     Lightening flashed in the distance and soon the rain showers fell in
increasing intensity.
     The caves temperature was ten degrees cooler than the outside when
they first arrived. When the sun had set the temperature had dropped
another twenty degrees.
     Hera shivered and crossed her arms too keep warm. Bryan and Hera had
sat quietly the whole time. She looked toward him and barely saw his form
in the darkness. A crack of thunder and a flash of light lit up the cave
momentarily. Hera had never seen a thunderstorm so violent before. Never
had she dreamed how cold and miserable a planet could feel. If her one
experience in a rainstorm had not prepared her; she would have outright
panicked at the violence of nature. As it was this storm had to be
several points worse than she would have imagined.
     With a last moments hesitation she crawled over to Bryan and touched
his good arm. "How are you feeling, Sergeant?"
     Bryan smiled into the darkness, "Bryan," he said.
     "What?" Hera asked.
     "Bryan. Call me Bryan will ya? After what we've been through I think
that would be all right, Lieutenant."
     "Then call me Hera." Bryan smiled back and stared into her eyes in
the cast of another lightening strike. 
     He nodded, "The medicine has dulled the pain but I am freezing."
     Hera smiled at him. She did not know whether or not he could see her
approach but she decided it would be all right to snuggle up to him for
warmth. "Here," he said and put his good arm around her and she returned
the favor by wrapping both arms around him. Her head rested on his good
shoulder while one arm went around his back and the other around the
front of his rib cage.
     The wind had picked up and every now and then rain would land inside
the cave and to hit their feet.
     Another flash of light and this time the thunder echoed loudly
inside the cave. The couple cringed and their heads bumped together.
"Ow!" They said in unison. Hera reached up and rubbed Bryan's head where
they had bumped.
     Lightening flashed again and he was looking hungrily into her eyes
with something she had also felt ever since they had met. The darkness
returned again and without exactly meaning too her lips brushed against
his chin. He placed his cheek against hers and held her a little tighter.
She breathed in deeply his scent. Her heart beat in rapid-fire pulses, as
she no longer felt cold.
     The lightening returned for a few precious seconds and she was
staring into his eyes intently. Their eyes locked onto one another's and
like a magnet their lips touched briefly. Bryan momentarily forgot his
wound and concentrated on Hera's sensuous kiss.
     They kissed slowly at first, but soon the heat of passion burned
within their hearts and minds.
     Bryan cupped Hera's head gently as she clasped his back. They paused
to catch their breath and his lips caressed her cheeks and ran up her
ears and back down to her neck.
     She cooed in delight at his kisses and eagerly found his lips again.
Hera laid down and Bryan removed his field jacket, folded it up and
placed it under Hera's head as they lay together. Their bodies soon
started swaying and their hands moved over each other caressing one
another. Hera quickly lost her flight jacket and removed Bryan's shirt.
     Soon the lovers forgot all about the raging storm outside as the two
became one.

***

     A new base camp had been established over the old one. Despite the
storm, twenty shuttles had arrived on schedule and sat lined up in a row
on either side of the wide road leading to the temple. More guards from
Earth and the Galactica had arrived along with four Land Rams. The
compact yet powerful tank/troop carriers were placed in strategic
locations. The twin laser turrets on top guarded against the unknown. 
     Daniel and Sam spent a few hours before the sun went down inspecting
the temple but returned without making any remarkable discovery.
     Powerful lights had been strung up along the camp and rocked back
and forth as the wind and rain howled around them.
     After Apollo had notified the Galactica about their situation and
Sheba had told him about the Cylon threat, they all agreed that the
planet bound group should leave in the morning. Sheba was upset about
what happened with Hera but did her best to hide it.
     About nine o'clock that night SG-5 had returned empty handed, soaked
and chilled to the bone. After taking shelter in the command tent they
relayed how they had found two dead Jaffa and later found and killed the
other two a few hours later. They also found Bryan's damaged flak jacket
with a large hole in it. Bryan's weapon had been found discarded and
remnants of basic medical supplies that had been used.
     Cassie said, "Colonel, obviously Sergeant Torres was injured, but
from what Major Carter told me about the med kit used, he could be
seriously hurt or just wounded. There's no way to tell till we find them.

     Teal'c interjected, "Since no body was found it's reasonable to
assume that Lieutenant Hera and Sergeant Torres kept going away from the
other Jaffa."
     "Yeah, well, we will start up again in the morning. Everyone should
get some rest. We'll send out the UAV at first light," Jack said
     "A what?" Apollo asked.
     Carter joined in, "It's a flying machine that will search from the
air and take digital pictures and radio them back to us. They probably
took shelter from the storm, we'll find them. Sergeant Torres is a good
man. He'll take care of her."

***

     Bryan and Hera held each other in a tangled embrace as they slept
peacefully. The thunder and lightening had stopped several hours before
and now sunlight filtered through the vegetation hanging over the mouth
of the cave.
     Bryan turned over and his bandaged shoulder bumped into a rock
jutting out from the floor. "Ow! Geez."
     Hera opened her eyes and saw Bryan laying beside her. Smiling she
turned his head and kissed him. "Good morning" Bryan said when they
paused. 
     "Good morning," she replied mischievously. Then more seriously,
"Does it hurt much?"
     Bryan shrugged, "I have had worse. Broke my arm riding a skateboard
when I was ten."
     Hera brow knitted in confusion, "A what?"
     Bryan raised his hands a couple of feet apart, "A skateboard. You
know it's a board with wheels, about this long, you ride it..."
     She raised her eyebrow further.
     "Ah, never mind. It's a cultural thing." He looked to the caves
entrance and saw the sun had come up. "Come on, we need to try and make
it back to the pyramid."
     Hera got up and said, "I hope everyone else is all right."
     Hera's sharp hearing picked up a noise that was totally unfamiliar
to her, "What's that?"
     Bryan pulled his jacket on careful not to bump his shoulder. "What?"
     "I thought I heard something?"
     Reaching the caves entrance they saw a five-foot long white remote
plane cut across the base of the mountain.
     "Looks like some kind of drone," Hera said.
     "It's ours! That means they survived!" Bryan whooped.
     Bryan reached for the radio in his vest and then remembered that the
radio and vest had been destroyed. He looked around and was about to
suggest Hera use her laser pistol when she withdrew it and fired straight
up in the air three times.

***

     Carter sat the controls of the UAV remote. SG-1 and the Colonials
core group nudged in for a closer look.
     The UAV remote had been flying in a box like pattern for an hour.
     Daniel was the only one to see a faint tiny flash on the bottom left
of the screen. "Hey did you see that?"
     Carter nodded, "It's probably radio interference, it happens
sometimes."
     "Sam, go around for another pass?" Jack said.
     Sam obediently turned the UAV around in a wide arc and had the
remote gain some altitude. Three flashes came from an out-cropping near
the base of the mountain. "There." Teal'c said and pointed.
     Three more flashes came from the mountain. Sam zoomed the camera in
on two forms near the base of the mountain. Smiling she said, "There they
are."
     The UAV flew in a several tight circles and confirmed Hera and
Bryan's presence. Each wore a stupid grin on their face as they waved in
exaggerated patterns. The tent erupted with cheers of success.
     "I've locked the coordinates in." Sam checked the readouts on the
computer screen, "Distance: Twenty point four miles away. Bearing: Zero
Eight Five degrees South by South East direction."
     Apollo's expression relaxed considerably. "Good job Colonel, Major.
I'll have a shuttle pick them up."
     Jack smiled at Carter and patted her on the shoulder. "Major, he's
your troop, why don't you go along and get him."
     Carter smiled, "Yes, sir."
     By the time Sam had left the tent Cassiopeia was already half
dragging a bewildered pilot toward the nearest shuttle, a med kit in
hand. Starbuck trailed behind her, "Cassie, wait!"
     The shuttle returned in an half hour with a bedraggled pair of
survivors. A cheer went up throughout the camp as Hera and Bryan stepped
outside of the shuttle. Smiling the pair walked a little too close for
Apollo's taste 'But after such an adventure together they would naturally
become fast friends... or...' Apollo frowned and buried the thought as
soon as it surfaced.
     SG-1, SG-5, and SG-9 lined up in a row. "TEN HUT!"  Air Force
personnel stood at attention. The Colonials practiced formality on
occasion but not that frequently. However, Apollo immediately recognized
the significance of the event and ordered, "Warriors, attention!" All
warriors came to attention.
     Commander Apollo motioned for Jack to continue as he also came to
attention. "Squadron... Hand Salute!"
     Air Force personnel saluted smartly with the Colonials lagging just
behind them. Bryan raised his hand smartly to the corner of his right eye
and held it there. Hera followed Bryan's lead.
     Jack then said, "Ready! TWO!" All hands dropped in unison followed
by Bryan and Hera.
     Jack dismissed the assembly and came up to Bryan and patted his
shoulder near the wound. Bryan winced noticeably but held his tongue.
"Great job Sergeant." And then Jack shook his hand and congratulated Hera
also.
     Apollo greeted his daughter with an affectionate hug and shook
Bryan's hand.
     "Thank you, sir. Did you nail those other two Jaffa?" Bryan asked
     "Yeah, SG-5found them and took care of them last night."
     "They followed us for several miles, but we finally lost them after
it started raining."
     Jack frowned a little, "You look dry?"
     "Lieutenant Hera spotted a cave at the base of the mountain and we
weathered out the storm there."
     Jack nodded, "Good job. Why don't you go get cleaned up and we'll
have some "tasty" M.R.E's standing by."
     Bryan winced as Hera and he walked through a throng of people who
welcomed them back, "M.R.E.'s?" She asked in a low voice.
     He smiled sideways at her, "Yeah, Meals Rejected by the Enemy."
     Hera knew he was joking but that still did not sound too appealing.

***

     Hera and Bryan had just finished eating their M.R.E's inside the
command tent when he silently nodded towards the tent's entrance. Bryan
lead Hera behind the second shuttle not too far away. He looked in one
direction, then the other. After deciding that no one was looking he
snuggled up close to Hera.
     Hera smiled at Bryan's actions and was about too ask him what was
going on when he reached over and kissed her gently on the mouth. Hera
melted in his arms and returned his kiss. After a few moments he pulled
away and looked into her eyes. "Your so beautiful."
     Hera flashed him a smile and kissed him again. Reaching into his
pocket he gave her a bronze coin. She took it and turned it over in her
hand. The circular coin was three times larger than a standard
rectangular gold cubit that the colonials used for currency. "What's this
for?" Hera asked.
     "I wanted you too have something that belonged to me."
     Hera gave him a toothy grin and turned the coin over in her hand.
     "Giving a coin at significant times is a tradition in the Air Force.
This particular coin was the first one ever given to me when I graduated
tech school. My uncles retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and he wanted
to mark that day as a milestone for me."
     Hera held the coin with appreciation. The coin had an image engraved
on the front; a man in BDU's with some kind of cable that wrapped around
his shoulder. Inscribed on the coin were the words "Computer Systems
Operator".
     Hera turned the coin over and saw a cable wrapping around a planet,
presumably the Earth. The cables ends overlapped each other and each end
had different attachments\.
     Hera's finger ran over the length of several symbols that encircled
the image of Earth. Hera thought a moment, "What are those numbers
encircling the Earth?"
     Loud noises came from the pyramid and soon a convoy of trucks
carrying the pallets of equipment came rolling out.
     Bryan kissed Hera one more time and headed toward the trucks. Hera
laughed, "Where you going?"
     Bryan turned partway and flashed her a smile, "I got work to do.
Those pallets need to be transferred to the shuttles."
     She smiled and held the coin up in the air, "What are the symbols
for?"
     "You come from a smart space faring race, what do you think a
computer hacker would put there?"
     Waving to her she watched him go. She rubbed the coin and turned to
go. As she rounded the corner of the shuttle she almost ran into Boomer,
"Boomer! Sorry. How are you feeling?"
     Boomer eyed her suspiciously but smiled. "Good enough. What have you
got there, Lieutenant?"
     Hera's cheeks flushed momentarily but she quickly recovered. "Ah,
Sergeant Torres wanted to thank me for helping him yesterday and gave me
this coin."
     Boomer tilted his head playing along with her ruse, "Uh, huh."
     Hera pretended she did not notice his sarcasm and handed the coin to
him. "Major, you know something about Computrons, what do you think these
markings are? The Sergeant wouldn't tell me."
     Boomer turned the coin over in his hand looking at both sides. A few
microns later he snapped his fingers, "I know what that is. It's coding.
Binary coding to be exact, that's the fundamental language of computrons.
See the numbers represented here are one's and zero's. These digits are
also called 'bytes.' The ones mean the computron function is on and the
zero's mean off."
     "What does it represent on a coin?" Hera asked.
     Boomer began, "Well, The numbers add up too two hundred and fifty
six, although the last bit is turned off so really there are two hundred
and fifty five bits to play with. By counting the number ones and
accounting for the number one's positioning in the group, you get a set
of numbers that you add together. Hmmmn. Sometimes the ones also
represent letters. I bet in this case they are letters."
     Boomer rubbed the side of his cheek thoughtfully, "It's been awhile
since I used this stuff. Let's see. It looks like the message repeats
itself over and over. That's a B. Uhh... Y... T... umm... E. Let's see,
that's an M... and E."
     Boomer looked at the receding form of Bryan with confusion, "BYTE
ME...BYTE ME? Now what's that supposed to mean?"
     Shrugging her shoulders Hera said, "It must be a cultural thing."

***

     Heru'Ur had the mechanical monstrosity brought before him. Its
ceremonial robes had been ripped from him and its tear shaped head
remained dark.
     Heru'Ur had been inspecting the machine in his throne room when
without warning sparks began dancing within its head. Red eyes blinked on
and off and quickly animated itself. "Attention, all Centurions..."
     Lucifer stopped in mid-sentence as new images of an totally
different environment flooded his visual scanners. "Where am I? You!
Human. You shall pay for this. I assure you."
     "SILENCE!" Heru'Ur thundered in his reverberating voices.
     "How dare you. When we find your pitiful human colony we shall..."
An unknown force picked up Lucifer and threw him into a wall.
     Lucifer had never seen the attack coming.
     "I am not human, I am your god."
     If Lucifer had eyebrows he would have raised them, "Preposterous,
your obviously a mere human. The Cylon Empire shall crush you and any..."
     Again Lucifer found himself strewn onto the floor, staring at the
ceiling. He got up once again and this time he noticed a Centurion.
"Centurion, I order you to seize that human and assist me in escaping."
     The Centurions demeanor looked different somehow. All Centurions did
look alike, true, but this one did not seem right. It turned its head and
its red optical scanner seemed to race across his screen twice as fast.
'Of course there was a marking of some kind of avian, I believe it's
called.'
     Heru'Ur smiled darkly, "You amuse me little. I shall enjoy pulling
you apart wire by wire, perhaps I will reprogram you as a pet to amuse
me."
     "How dare you, I am an I.L. Series Cylon of the Cylon Empire. You
would do well to mind how you treat me. After all when our fleet arrives
you will surely die."
     Heru'Ur sighed tiredly, "I grow tired of your petty tirades."
     Lucifer stepped quickly toward him and had every intention of
killing this human with his bare mechanical hands. It was at that precise
moment that he noticed two things about this man. One: his eyes flashed a
bright yellow when angry, definitely not a human trait. Two: He now knew
what unseen force had repeatedly thrown him around the room.
     A jeweled copperish glove of exquisite craftsmanship was on the mans
hand. Imbedded in the palm a large jewel glowed brightly and it was then
the unseen force picked him up and threw him with a force several times
harder than before.
     Lucifer inward thoughts were never revealed. When his body hit the
wall this time his head hit a beam and the force of the impact against it
removed his head neatly from his body. Sparks flew outward and a small
fire began. Smoke from the electrical fire began to smell the room up
with its acrid stench.
     Heru'Ur frowned at the inconvenience, "Centurion, take this...thing
from my chambers."
     "Yes, my lord." The Centurion replied obediently. He picked up
Lucifer's body and left the room.

***

     Hours later the loading of the shuttles had neared completion. A
mobile satellite transceiver was placed a few hundred yards to the side
of the pyramid and inside a small patch of trees and bushes. The dish was
pointed forty-five degrees upward to the sky. A small four-man tent had
been set up beside the dish and was camouflaged with mottled greens and
browns. Inside a small table and two chairs had been placed inside.
Transceiver equipment had been set up to receive any signals from the
Stargate or from space.
     A mobile microwave dish had been mounted in the side of one of
several slits that partially illuminated the foyer of the pyramid. Inside
the tent with the satellite dish another mobile microwave transceiver
received the signal from the pyramid and relayed it to the transceiver in
the tent.
     Sam came out of the pyramid and saw Sergeant Bob Cranton coming up
to meet her. "It's all set up Major."
     "Thanks sergeant." Sam smiled.
     Getting Jack's attention, "Colonel. We are all set."
     She was interrupted by a radio transmission. 
     "SG-1 this SGC, over."
     Jack depressed the send button on his radio, "SG-1 here, over."
     "Colonel, can you give me an update?"
     "Yes, sir. We are ready to depart."
     "Colonel, I am delaying your departure two more hours. I need you
and Commander Apollo to return to Earth immediately."
     Jack looked at Sam with questioning eyes. She shrugged but said
nothing. "Roger that sir."

***

     Baltar had been unceremoniously drug from his chamber and thrown in
a holding cell. As far as he knew he had been imprisoned on his own base
star for almost two cycles. His new captors had fed him a meager ration
only once and his guard would not even talk to him.
     'How could these machines be turned so quickly?' That question
burned inside of him. His thoughts were interrupted as a guard opened his
cell and with little effort single-handedly drug him to his former
chamber. On the way he noticed that his former crew all had those
ridiculous black avian markings on their forehead. He was thrust to the
floor in a heap. Getting up and dusting his dirty clothes he looked up to
see a mere Centurion sitting in his seat.
     "How dare you! Get down from there!" Baltar roared.
     With little interest the Centurion nodded to Baltar's guard and the
guard brought him to the center of the room. Before Baltar could speak a
strange noise filled the air and large circular metal rings appeared from
the ceiling and one by one landed around the two standing in the center.
Baltar could only imagine what form of torture this was but in microns
the rings stopped and it was as if he had blanked out because immediately
following that he was in a room unlike anything on his base star.
     The rings that surrounded him rose high into the ceiling of
Heru'Ur's chamber and disappeared into the ceiling.
     Baltar looked warily from side to side but did not move. The Cylon
behind him provided incentive for him to move. Baltar stopped a
respectful distance from a man sitting upon a small throne.
     Baltar smiled. "I am Count Baltar," he began.
     The Centurion swept his knees and they went out from under him. He
found himself kneeling in a most undignified way. His hands reached out
to catch himself when he had been forced to kneel.
     The bald man introduced himself as a god. "Tell me traitor, why
should I spare your life?" 
     Baltar barely had time to think, "I, I, I can help you. I know
things about my machine friends that are invaluable."
     Heru'Ur smiled, "And what of the ones whom you seek?"
     Baltar frowned, "How did you know about the Galactica?"
     "I am a god." Heru'Ur thundered, his eyes flashing a brilliant
yellow.
     Baltar knew he was on thin ice. "I can also help you. I, I can
deliver them to you. I know exactly where their fleet is. I, I think the
way they do. I know what they will do, I know what they need."
     Heru'Ur smiled darkly, "Enough." Two human like people grabbed him.
One of them had an avian-like head where a man's head should be. Baltar
blanched in shock, "No, no, your not real! No, I don't believe it! I read
about you in the Book of the Word passed on from the ancients, the Lords
of Kobol."
     Baltar screamed as the abomination approached him. He raised his
hands up in sheer terror to ward off the demon, "NO! NOOOO!!!"

***

     Apollo and Jack emerged from the Stargate and met Hammond at the
foot of the ramp.
     Hammond nodded to both men, "Sorry to have too bring you back so
soon Commander, but we need to talk."
     Hammond led the men too the conference room motioned for them to sit
down. Including the general's chair there were exactly three chairs not
currently occupied.
     The other chairs were filled with Air Officers. Jack looked at the
officers but had never seen them before. The only clue to who they were
was the aviator insignia on their Air Force dress blue uniforms.
     Apollo waited for Hammond to begin their impromptu meeting.
"Commander, first off let me start by saying that I deeply regret the
loss of your people on P2S89G. As I understand it that most of the people
you lost were pilots?"
     Apollo nodded gravely, "That's right general. Blue Squadron was my
strike wing. I lost some of my finest warriors. Our viper pilots are our
primary means of defense for the fleet. I have ordered the forge ship to
begin non-stop construction of new vipers immediately. Fortunately, over
the yahren we have produced several vipers that have been reserved and
several retired warriors have been placed back on active duty. The new
vipers being assembled will restock our reserves. We have enough vipers,
but the next class of cadets won't be ready to fly for at least a yahren.
"
     Hammond bowed his head down a little and said, "You have my deepest
sympathy, sir. I spoke to the President of the United States and informed
him of this tragedy. He also wanted too express his sympathy and propose
a solution to your problem."
     Apollo sighed, "What did you have in mind, general?"
     "With your permission the Air Force is willing to temporarily
transfer to the Galactica two squadrons of pilots till replacements can
be adequately trained. These pilots are our most seasoned veterans that
have combat experience and Colonel Andrews and Sharpe here are astronauts
in our space program." Hammond pointed too the astronauts who nodded back
solemnly.
     Jack looked at Hammond and then at Apollo in surprise, but otherwise
held his tongue.
     Apollo contemplated for a few moments, "General, while I appreciate
your generous offer I am afraid that even combat experienced pilots are
not ready for battle in deep space."
     Jack interrupted, "Train them."
     Apollo turned to Jack, "What?"
     Jack smiled, "Train them. These men have fought in wars and know how
to fly planes; these are the best pilots Earth has to give you, give'em a
crash course. Excuse the phrase."
     Hammond asked Apollo, "Commander, I am sure this is not the first
time your people have lost pilots?"
     Apollo smiled thinly as he remembered once before another tragedy
where Blue Squadron had been exposed too a dangerous alien virus that
nearly killed them all, "No. Early on in our flight from the Colonies,
one of our viper pilots skipped decontamination while scouting out a
Cylon outpost. We nearly lost all of our warriors because of an alien
virus."
     "What did you do?" Jack asked.
     Apollo remembered that day. It was the first in a set of a series of
events that led to the death of his first wife, Serina who was one of the
original shuttle pilots selected.
     "I was ordered to my father's chambers..."
     Captain Apollo, the Strike Wing Commander of Blue Squadron pushed
the chime on his father's door.
     "Come," Adama's deep voice said.
     Apollo entered as Adama looked up and smiled at his son. "Ah!
Apollo. Good." Adama picked up a data pad he had compiled and handed it
to Apollo.
     Apollo scanned several names and asked, "What's this?"
     "A list of pilot candidates to replace the members of Blue Squadron.
It all comes down to a few old timers with various disabilities and the
names at the bottom of the list."
     Apollo stared at the data pad for a moment and then looked sharply
at his father. "Father! You can't be serious?"
     "I am deadly serious Apollo."
     Apollo rolled his eyes and turned away for a moment controlling his
anger, "Father, the Viper is the most advanced flying machine ever built
by man. You don't just hand it over to a bunch of..." Apollo spit the
word out as if it was dirty, "Shuttle Pilots."
     Adama frowned sharply, "Their warriors." Pointing he continued, "And
all warriors know from the centon they enlist they might die."
     Apollo interrupted, "Yes Father, but not throw their lives away!"
     Adama squared his shoulders off and sternly said, "You have your
orders, Captain." With that final comment Adama walked around his desk
and sat down, leaving Apollo standing there with his mouth open.
     Apollo started to say something, "You..." Sighing he resigned
himself to do his duty. Before he left he placed the data pad on his
fathers desk, "I don't think you read every name on that list,
Commander." With that Apollo walked out.
     Adama looked up questioningly and took the data pad. He started
reading it and noticed that not only were their several inexperienced
shuttle pilots, but also among them were his daughter, Athena and
Apollo's fianc‚e, Serina. Adama sat back in his chair heavily, "Oh, my
God!"
     Commander Apollo finished his story up with, "We began a intensive
training course for them on our vipers. We even took out a Cylon
garrison." Nodding to Hammond, "General Hammond, please thank your
President for me."
     Apollo smiled and turned to face the other men sitting at the table,
"Gentleman Please let me be the first person to welcome you to the
Colonial Military. I know you all will make fine warriors." Standing he
personally shook the hands of every pilot sitting at the table.

***

     Heru'Ur sat upon his throne in his Cheops class pyramid ship. A
hideous smile crossed his face. A human male sat prostrated before him,
his once navy blue pants and tunic had been ripped in various places and
was dripping wet from the water pit he had been living in. The water pit
was a torture of its own. While being completely uncomfortable, a person
had to constantly guard against falling asleep or risk drowning.
     The man's lip was cut and bleeding, his left eye was swollen shut.
The Horus guards had beaten the prisoner repeatedly. Most people would
have pitied this poor wretch, until they recognized him as the foul
traitor of mankind, Baltar.
     Baltar's head hung low and his breathing came in shallow gasps. Two
of his ribs had been broken. He was dying. Slowly.
     Baltar wailed lamenting his tortuous existence, "What do you want
from me?"
     Heru'Ur eyes momentarily glowed brightly. "I find your proposal
acceptable."
     Baltar jerked his head up sharply, "What?" A flicker of a devious
smile crossed his face, vanished and then replaced with a more solid one.
Self-preservation reared its head, "Then I am to be spared?"
     "Yes." Heru'Ur simply said.
     Baltar had a flash of d‚j... vu as he briefly recalled say something
like this before, but to whom? His mind was so cloudy from his torture.
Then without thinking he stood up and spoke rather quickly, "To Serve the
Empire!" 
     Heru'Ur eyes flashed an angry bright yellow as only a Goa'ould can,
"To serve your god!" With that he raised his hand. A rather artistic
glove made of copperish metal was on that hand. A large semi-round red
crystal was embedded inside the palm of the device. It began to glow
bright red. A flash of intense light and an unknown force picked Baltar
up and threw him ten feet into the air. His body slammed against the far
wall in a bone-jarring crunch and his body seemed to hang there for a
moment, until gravity finally pulled him down. Moaning to himself he
turned his head slightly. Off to his left was the decapitated head of his
one time second in command IL Series Cylon, Lucifer. His body nowhere to
be seen.
     Two Centurions picked him up roughly and held him in a standing
position. Heru'Ur came near and motioned a Jaffa to approach him. Baltar
waited for the unknown to be revealed.
     Jaffa stopped to within three feet of Baltar and waited. Heru'Ur
eyes glowed brightly and he placed his hand into the belly of the Jaffa.
An "X" like slit served as an opening to a pouch in his belly. Heru'Ur
removed a long Goa'ould. Its mouth opened widely and its snake like body
squirmed with anticipation of its new host.
     Baltar blanched at the animal, "Wait!" He held his hands up in a
vain attempt to stave off the inevitable. "Wait! You said I was too be
spared."
     "And so you shall. Your body will live forever, but your mind will
forever be trapped in a hellish nightmare, as my friend here will use you
as he used the Jaffa. You will be his host and have no say over what he
does. Of course a younger version of your species is preferred, however
we have need of you."
     Baltar squirmed with all his might but he could not free himself,
"No!" He screamed. Heru'Ur walked behind him and Baltar struggled even
more. He could not see what was going to happen and he cried as a child
would. "No, PLEASE! I beg you!" Baltar had known fear in his lifetime,
but nothing prepared him for the living nightmare that awaited him.
     A piercing knife like pain filled the back of his neck and he
writhed in agony as the Goa'ould imbedded itself into his neck. It bore
deep into him and Baltar screamed in agony as the snake like alien
wrapped itself around his spine and crawled up to the back of his brain.
     Baltar pleaded wildly promising anything if only they would stop.
The Goa'ould made one last move then firmly attached himself to Baltar's
brain.
     Baltar collapsed and the Centurions released him. Moments later
Baltar raised his head. Slowly he stood to his feet and looked Heru'Ur
full in the face, his eyes flashed an intense yellow before fading back
to normal. A Goa'ould multi-voice laughed more deviously than Baltar ever
had in life.

***

     The Colonial shuttles lifted off one by one from P2S89G. The
shuttles formed a loose and staggered formation as they rose through the
atmosphere. Commander Apollo and his core group traveled in his personal
shuttle, along with SG-1, Major Davis, and Bryan. 
     Bryan would have sat with the other non commissioned officers in one
of the other shuttles but since he had saved the commanders daughter he
had earned his gratitude and at Hera's request he sat beside her in the
cockpit.
     Hera announced from the pilot seat, "Commander, we are ready."
     Apollo nodded and said, "Deploy Earth's satellite, please."
     Hera turned to the co-pilot and winked at Bryan. "Deploy the
satellite, Sergeant."
     Bryan was beside his self with excitement and forgot what to do,
"Uh, where..."
     Hera smiled and pointed to a red button. "That one."
     Bryan smiled and pushed the button. A warbling noise came from the
button he pushed and Hera's looked at him with astonishment, "What did
you do?"
     Bryan looked frantically from Hera to the console of buttons
blinking in rapid succession and then back to her. "What?" he exclaimed.
     Hera's face lit up with a brilliant smile and laughed at Bryan's
expense. Turning in her seat she told her father, "Satellite away." Bryan
sat back in his seat ghost white and pretended to smack his head,
"Satellite moving into a geo-synchronous orbit." Smiling Hera stole a
final look at Bryan as he tried to catch his breath.
     Apollo smirked to himself, "Very good, Lieutenant." Then with an
afterthought he added, "By the way lieutenant would you ask the Sergeant
to be good enough to not touch anything up there? We wouldn't want him
dumping our fuel."
     Everyone except Teal'c laughed heartily and Bryan seemed to shrink
in his seat.
     Sam pulled out a tracking device, "Colonel, I confirm the satellite
has taken up position in orbit of P2S89G."
     Jack nodded, "Yeah, try the radio now. See if we can talk to base
camp."
     Sam radioed base camp beside the pyramid and said, "Communications
working perfectly, Sir."
     "Good," Jack said.
     Sam nodded, "With the modifications that Major Boomer and I made to
it, we should have non-stop communications with their fleet as long as
there within five light years and with the satellites imaging array we
should see any ships approaching this system."
     Jack smiled as he shook his head, "You know we've spent so much time
here I think we should give this planet a better name."

***

     Two vipers led the shuttles to the fleet. The viper escort brought
the shuttles following them to a parallel course so the Earth teams would
get a glimpse of the fleet.
     Jack peered through the window and said, "Holy!"
     "Crap!" Bryan said as he leaned over a bit to look around Hera. 
     Sam's mouth stood agape, "My god! Can you imagine the resources it
would take..."
     Apollo asked Hera to have the Viper escort take a circling tour
around the fleet before proceeding to the Galactica.
     Daniel licked his lips, "It must take awhile to build a ship that
size?"
     Boomer nodded, "Yeah that's why there were not that many built. Lets
see, there was the: Alantia, Pacifica, Galactica, Solaria, Columbia,
Bellerephon, Pegasus, Ricon, Prometheus, Poseidon, Argo, and Olympia."
     Starbuck smiled, "Doctor Jackson, as an archaeologist you'll be
happy to know that the Galactica is over five hundred yahren, er, years
old."
     "That's incredible! Imagine the history that we could learn!
Commander, would it be possible to see any historical data that you have
on the Galactica?"
     "Of course, Doctor Jackson. When we board the Galactica the first
few cycles will be very busy but I will see that someone gets you any
historical data want."

***

     On the bridge of the Galactica Omega received notification of the
shuttles arrival.
     "Colonel, The shuttles are approaching."
     Sheba got up from Apollo's seat, "Very good! Send a detachment of
warriors to the landing bay for honor guard..."
     "Colonel?" Athena said.
     "Yes?"
     "Receiving a call from practically every ship in the fleet wanting
to see the Earth delegation."
     Sheba sighed, "No one has said that there are Earth people onboard."
     Athena smiled, "You know how rumors fly through the fleet."
     Sheba exhaled sharply, "It's going to be one of those
cycles...Omega... have several warriors keep everyone else out of the
landing bay. I won't have another Paradeen incident."
     Sheba remembered the time that the Galactica had picked up a stray
sub-light ship on its way to the planet Paradeen. Five humans a man named
Michael with his daughter and Sarah with her two boys were in suspended
animation chambers. The Council of the Twelve had intended on removing
all the travelers from their chambers, which would have killed them
because the air pressure on the Galactica was several units above their
own. It was vital too return those passengers to deep space and let them
continue on their original route.
     In a ruse Apollo, Starbuck, and Cassiopeia had got the ships away in
time, but it was a madhouse in the Galactica landing bay when Michael
came out of his ship disoriented and started firing at anyone in his way.
     If nothing else that experience had taught the warriors the
importance of keeping all civilian personnel outside of the landing bays,
including members of the Council of Twelve.
     The Earth people were truly amazed at the size and assortment of the
Colonial Fleet.
     "On final approach to Galactica," Hera announced.
     "Galactica shuttles you are cleared to land in Alpha Landing Bay."
     Apollo gestured with his hand, "Takes us home, Lieutenant." 
     Sam was beside herself with excitement, "My God! The Galactica must
be over a mile long!"
     Boomer smiled, "She's over four thousand two hundred metrons long
and five thousand metrons wide. The landing bays are each close too two
thousand metrons long."
     Sam calculated the figures into feet and quietly said, "Wow."
     Bryan whistled. "Wow, that's bigger than a carrier back home. Glad I
brought twice as much fiber optics than I originally decided on."
     Hera was not sure what a "carrier" was but she understood the
meaning behind it. "We have slowed to one eighth of the speed of light.
Your going to feel a slight tug as the ship passes through the force
fields protecting the landing bay from the vacuum of space. That's
normal."
     As the shuttle passed through the invisible force field Bryan felt a
tug that pushed against the ship ever so slightly. Inside the landing bay
lining one side were a viper fighter as far as the eye could see. The bay
was enormous; Shuttles could be seen on either other side of the bay
lining the walls and some of the unique "Land Rams" that he had seen on
the planet.
     Heads inside the landing bay turned at the sound of the entrance of
the shuttlecrafts. At the end of the landing bay stood a person in orange
coveralls, gold colored hard hand and an orange light signal in each
hand. The landing crew guided the shuttle to a halt and gave Hera the
signal to shut her engines down.
     Two orange suited men came over to the shuttle and placed a platform
next to the door. Steam rose lazily from the hull of the shuttle as the
temperature of the hull adjusted to the internal temperature of the
landing bay.
     The area outside the shuttle was thick with warriors of all assorted
race, color, and creed. An honor guard surrounded the ramp on either
side.
     Security personnel had cordoned off the remainder of the bay. They
carried the infantry style laser rifles that were common to the colonial
military.
     Flight crews stood to one side ready to decontaminate the ship after
the passengers departed.
     Apollo and the other colonials were the first to depart and a loud
cheer erupted from the crowd.
     He smiled and said, "I am aware that speculation on where I have
been and the visitors I have with me has everyone beside themselves with
anticipation. Please bear with me a little longer. I will be addressing
the fleet shortly."
     Apollo nodded to Hera who went inside the shuttle. In a span of a
few microns several humans in definitely alien clothing departed the
shuttle.
     Another cheer ran through the crowd followed by questions from
virtually everyone in the assembly.
     Jack waved, Sam and Daniel smiled and Teal'c looked on with little
interest.
     Apollo motioned the crowds for silence, "Please follow me, we have
to go through decontamination. Back up everyone. Go back to your post."
     The crowd of warriors backed up and dispersed only after all of the
shuttles occupants went into the decontamination chamber.
     Apollo escorted the group to several chambers. "We have a procedure
that is quite harmless. It decontaminates a person and prevents either us
or an, well an alien from introducing any illness to the ship."
     They single filed into the chambers and went through the process.
Afterwards they were brought to a large room and waited till Apollo
returned.
     After Apollo had left, Jack shook his head, "Did you see the way
those people looked at us? They acted like this was the Second Coming."
     "Second Coming of what?" Teal'C asked puzzled.
     "You know. The Second Coming." Pausing a moment Jack asked, "Teal'c
I thought you read the Bible?"
     Teal'c made the connection to Jack's reference, "Ah. I see. Yes,
that is amusing."
     Jack frowned, "I wasn't kidding, and they looked at us like we were
their saviors or something."
     Daniel smiled, "Hopefully, it won't come to that."

***

     Apollo entered the bridge and was nearly knocked over by the crowd
of delegates and council members.
     People crowded him and either begged or demanded to know what was
going on.
     Apollo frowned and motioned for silence. When he reached Sheba in
the command section he wanted to kiss her but it would be inappropriate
with the crowd waiting for him to speak. "Colonel."
     He nodded. 
     Sheba smiled at him. "Commander." What she wanted to do would be
inappropriate on the bridge so she played along with him.
     "Everybody all right?"
     Apollo nodded, "All present and accounted for."
     Sheba looked around, "Where's Hera?"
     Apollo smiled, "She either accompanied our guests to the councils
ante-chamber or went to sonic shower. She's fine."
     Then to Omega he ordered, "Put me on Unicom please?" He picked up
the microphone and every ship in the fleet and every person stopped what
they where doing.
     Omega stated "Unicom on, sir."
     Every face on the bridge stared at him waiting for their prayers to
be answered. Apollo inwardly sighed, 'How did so much responsibility get
thrust on my shoulders?'
     Apollo addressed the fleet "People of the fleet. This is Commander
Apollo. By now rumors of my departure have reached every man, woman, and
child. I left to begin talks with a human civilization that has recently
been discovered. Rumors of Captain Starbucks first contact with a human
civilization are true.
     Rumors of an alien civilization that shot down Captain Starbucks
patrol are also true. This alien civilization is even more powerful than
the Cylons. Their culture is known as the "Goa'ould" a violent culture
with several figureheads that believe they are gods. They demand absolute
obedience to them or death. Their language and ascetics are very similar
to our Kobol ancestry and language. However, that is where all
similarities end. This ancient race of people have enslaved humans from a
planet very far from here and seeded them all over this galaxy. The
Goa'ould rule with absolute control and have destroyed anyone or any
culture that rebel against their authority. They are a new and very real
threat.
     That clarifies where the communications we have received came from.
Very little is known at this time about these people except they are
extremely lethal.
     I had departed with Blue Squadron to a planet not far from here.
While I was in contact with the human civilization I mentioned before; I
traveled to their planet to see for myself their culture and speak with
their leaders. During my absence I left Blue Squadron behind too guard
the area." 
     Apollo paused and choked out the next statement. "In an unprovoked
attack the Goa'ould sent their warriors to the planet and obliterated our
joint base camp we shared with the other humans. I regret to inform you
that nearly all of Blue Squadrons viper pilots were killed and their
ships were destroyed."
     Gasps rang throughout the bridge. Apollo waited for the shock to
sink in. "While this news is very disturbing and I personally grieve at
the loss of many of my comrades, I also bring good news."
     He paused for effect then continued, "The journey that this fleet
began nearly twenty five yahren ago after the destruction of the Colonies
is almost over. I can safely announce to the fleet that we have located
the planet... Earth."
     Cheers rang throughout the bridge of the Galactica and Apollo
covered the microphone for a full centon till the cheers of jubilation
died down. People all over the bridge hugged each other, kissed, or just
patted one other on the back.
     Apollo continued, "I have personally been to Earth and met with key
military leaders of the lead city-state they call countries. I toured two
of their many cities. I can assure you that the Earth is more beautiful
than any of us have ever imagined."
     Cheers once again erupted and Apollo waited a few microns before he
continued. "I am sure everyone has been wondering what our brothers are
like? They are a rich and diverse people with different customs. These
nations are for the most part co-habitating peacefully with one another.
However, I was shocked too learn that some of our brothers fight amongst
each other. More will be said on this matter later.
     Earth's most advanced nation is called "The United States of
America" or U.S. as they sometimes refer to it. This country is a free
and democratic one with a diverse culture. It is through this countries
military that we made contact. 
     These people travel through the galaxy in ways more wondrous than
anyone in the colonies ever dreamed of. These explorers from the U.S. Air
Force are part of a highly trained recon team that has peacefully
traveled throughout the galaxy through a device they call a "Stargate".
     In this galaxy we have learned there is a vast network of Stargate's
that connect to every other one. This network of Stargate's are very old,
on the order of at least ten thousand of our yahren. No one knows
precisely who built this network of Stargate's except they are known as
the Ancients. 
     Traveling to a planet in this network is as easy as entering a code
into a device and stepping through the gate. What would take our fleet
sectans or even yahren to travel; the people of Earth do in microns.
     I realize that this may sound unbelievable but I can assure you that
it is true. On the planet that Captain Starbucks viper crashed; there is
a Stargate there. Earth's Stargate teams found Starbuck and took him back
to Earth and tended his wounds. They also managed too destroy two of the
"Goa'ould space craft that intended to destroy them as they retrieved
Captain Starbuck."
     Apollo paused for a moment contemplating his next words. "Earth's
technology state is radically different than our own. There is a mixed
level of technology that will come to us as a shock.
     1. Earth has a spacecraft program that has only been around for
        about forty yahren. Outside of the Stargate program, space
        travel even to their inner planets of the star system is
        impractical and almost non-existent.
     2. Earth's technological culture is around the Colonial Fifth
        Millennium level in most areas of science.
     3. I have also learned that Earth's computron technology is far
        advanced of our own say on the order of five hundred to one
        thousand yahren. These computrons are the size of a small box
        and can do the work of a computron that fills a whole room on
        the Galactica.

     As Commander of this fleet and President of the Quorum of the twelve
I used my authority since we are still in a state of emergency and allied
ourselves with our brothers. We have signed a treaty with them and
although I have yet to discuss it with the Counsel I have agreed to a
mutual exchange of technology. Two pilots and two vipers were transferred
to Earth in exchange for a vast amount of computron technology. These
computrons will be studied and duplicated as soon as possible. 
     In order to facilitate that; Earth has sent over at great expense
enough equipment to outfit the Galactica with this new technology and a
complete training staff that will instruct our people in its function.
     I know most of you were expecting only good news when we found
Earth, but life seldom operates in that fashion. You must continue to
have faith. The mysterious lights we encountered so many yahren ago gave
us a general course to follow to Earth and we now know it is true. Now we
must all be patient and be steadfast in the faith that we originally held
onto after the destruction of the colonies.
     Earth itself is still very far away and many decisions still need to
be addressed before we proceed.
     In conclusion I will have within a centaur; images of Earth and
samplings of their culture broadcast over the IFB. I know it will be
difficult but the communications will be restricted to only emergency
frequencies and all traffic throughout the fleet is restricted to
military craft until further notice.
     More information will follow after my meeting with the council. That
is all."
     To Omega he said, "Unicom off, please?" Omega nodded acknowledgement
"Unicom off, Commander."
     Sheba leaned close, "You had a busy day."
     Apollo sighed, "It's going to be an even longer night."

***

     Apollo pushed past several people asking him questions, including
Tamara from the fleet's news network; IFB.
     Tamara pushed a microphone into Apollo's face, "Commander, who are
the delegates from Earth? How is Captain Starbuck dealing with his new
found fame?..."
     "Please, I will have more information after the meeting with the
counsel," he said with obvious frustration.
     Several happy counsel members followed Apollo into the chambers. Two
guards barred the crowd from entering.
     Inside several members of the counsel seated themselves. Apollo
quickly seated himself. 
     The Quorum of the Twelve met in their chambers. Sire Geller barely
controlled himself.
     Apollo began, "This emergency session of the Quorum of the Twelve is
now in session. Before I explain in details the events of the past couple
of cycles, are there any questions?"
     Geller nearly bounded out of his seat, "Yes, I believe I do, Mr.
President."
     Apollo acknowledged Sire Geller.
     "Are you out of your mind?"
     Apollo had expected this outburst and patiently asked, "I beg your
pardon? In what regard Sire Geller?"
     Shaking his fist Geller demanded, "Where do I begin, Mr. President?
Perhaps I should start with giving away military hardware without first
addressing the counsel?"
     Apollo nodded, "Excellent place to begin. My actions as Commander of
the Fleet and President of this government during a time of martial law
is perfectly legal as I am sure you are aware. Furthermore, a viper or
two won't be missed, but Earth's computron, audio and video technology
are a quantum leap for the fleet."
     "Don't try that with me Apollo, you know very well the Viper is
essential to our survival, and you just gave it away to a primitive
culture. Good Lord! They don't even interplanetary craft! That's like
giving a child a loaded laser! Perhaps I should ask about the botched job
of getting nearly all of Blue Squadron killed."
     Apollo's eyes narrowed, "My reasons for doing so will be discussed.
More than anyone else at this table I feel the loss of Blue Squadron.
They were not just warriors but several served with me for many yahren.
The good news is that the two pilots sent to Earth are; Jolly and
Greenbean..."
     "That's right, we lost several good pilots and the few remaining
vipers in reserve were given to a primitive planet."
     "Earth."
     "Very well, Earth. Now Commander, can you prove to this counsel
beyond a shadow of doubt this is the planet we are looking for and can
you tell me why we would want to settle on a backwards planet?"
     Apollo straightened himself in his chair, "Yes it is Earth and I do
have proof. In regards to your statement about Earth itself, yes they are
behind compared to some of our technology."
     "By the Lords of Kobol! These people can't even fly too their
nearest planets in their star system. What could they possibly have that
we either want or need?"
     Apollo lifted his fingers up one at a time, "One; Earth has been the
fleets last and only hope for survival and the object of our journey for
nearly twenty-five yahren. Two; Earth knows more about this galaxy than
any of us. They have traveled to hundreds of planets through their
Stargate network that is spread throughout this galaxy. They have
powerful allies in several star systems that can also help us if we unite
with them. Three; The computron technology is so far advanced than our
own that they make ours look like children's toys. Four; Do you really
want too tell the seventy thousand refugees in this fleet that you want
to give up on their only hope once we actually found it?"
     Sire Geller's face contorted with rage, however Siress Tinia
interrupted, "Well said, Mr. President. I agree and support your actions.
However, we would like to meet with these people ourselves and see this
proof you said you have."
     Apollo ordered SG-1 and their computron tech to be sent to the
Council's chambers.
     The Earth SG teams and training staff lounged comfortably on several
couches. Bryan and Hera were talking quietly to one side of the room,
while Jack and Teal'c munched on some kind of treat that was green and
mushy.
     "Sweet. I could get used to this. I don't see any coffee though,"
Jack said. 
     Teal'c changed the subject, "How long will we stay in this room?"
     "Dunno, why you gotta be somewhere?"
     "I wish to meditate with Kel'Na'Reem but the surroundings are
inadequate."
     Jack looked around the room, "Yeah, I checked out the T.V. over
there. You know these people come all the way from another galaxy and
this TV. only gets the news channel. I bet our rooms don't even get
Showtime."
     After three years with Jack, Teal'c still had hard time telling when
Jack was kidding or being serious.
     The door slid open and two warriors with serious expressions came
in, "Would someone called SG-1 come with us?"
     Jack and the others of SG-1 came forward, "That's us."
     The warrior nodded and added, "Uh, yes sir. I was also ordered to
bring one of your computron techs along."
     Jack turned and looked for Bryan. Hera and he were still off in a
corner quietly talking. "Sergeant Torres?"
     Bryan turned quickly looking like a schoolboy caught with his hand
in the cookie jar. "Yes, sir?"
     "Come on, it's show time."
     Bryan nodded, picked up his backpack and started to say good-bye to
Hera, but she had already started for the door.
     Jack smiled, "I hope your laptop's battery is charged."
     With that the group was escorted to the counsels chambers.
     The people of the fleet sat crowded at every scanner onboard every
ship in the fleet. Images of the Earth flooded their senses. The video
was actually a documentary on Earth's major cities, monuments, and scenes
of national parks and preserves around the world.
     Aboard a Colonial freighter a small child clapped his hands, "Ooh,
look mommy! Are we going to live there? Mommy?" A child tugged on his
mother's arms. "Mommy? Why are you crying?"
     The boy's mother looked down at her son with tears of pure joy and
smiled, "It's so beautiful! I knew it." The boy not understanding
shrugged and watched more.
     Every ship in the fleet had similar scenes. Impromptu parties broke
out all over the fleet.
     People of the fleet were riveted to the scanners broadcasting images
of the Earth. Every scene of Earth prompted a similar response until the
Great Pyramids of Egypt appeared in all their ancient glory.
     Cheers erupted over and over. People began another round of tears
and laughter, clapping one another in pure joy. It proved conclusively,
at least to them that the Earth was their Lost Thirteenth Tribe. It was
the one tangible link to their past and lost homes in the colonies.
     As the scenes continued pyramids of all shapes and sizes came across
their screen. It added to the frenzy of excitement that flowed freely. 
     Similar scenes occurred all over the fleet. Invariably, grog and
ambrosia was broken out of stores and people celebrated like never before
since their holocaust over twenty-five yahren ago.

***

     Two warriors pushed through the crowds followed by SG-1 and Bryan.
Everywhere they went people clapped them on the shoulder or even hugged
them. A few women in Colonial uniforms cried as they kissed Bryan on the
cheeks and hugged him. Hera frowned openly and moved the women gently but
firmly out of Bryan's way. 
     Bryan was a little embarrassed at all the attention but having
several attractive strangers kissing him made him smile just a little. 
     However, Hera's sharp glare erased any trace of the smile he had
worn.
     The group made it to the Council's chambers relatively unscathed but
feeling a bit more humble than before.
     Grey doors swooshed open and they entered. Apollo paused from
addressing another accusation from Sire Geller and his supporters, "Ah!"
Standing up Apollo pointed to Jack, "This is Colonel Jack O'Neil, Major
Samantha Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, and Sergeant Bryan Torres
who personally saved my daughter from the Goa'ould attack."
     Bryan blushed and stood next to Teal'c who towered above him. Hera
stayed in the background. She may have been the Commanders daughter, but
she had no delusions of grandeur. A mere second lieutenant had no
business embarrassing her father.
     "I would like to introduce the ruling counsel of the for our
government." After introductions several people stood to personally shake
the Earth peoples hands. 
     After an appropriate pause, Apollo offered the Earth people five
chairs positioned to the left of the large counsel table.
     "Colonel O'Neil, the Council of Twelve has requested your presence
to verify the validity that your planet is indeed the planet we have been
searching for nearly twenty-five yahren."
     Jack nodded to Bryan who had already began setting up a Vol-Que, and
his laptop. Jack stood and said, "Thank you for your warm welcome, your
gonna see the same video that we shared with Commander Apollo. Daniel?"
     Daniel stood as the Vol-Que projected its image. Men and women alike
sat upright at the crystal clear image of the hologram. A collective gasp
of awe filled the room.
     Daniel waited a few seconds; "This video is the first documentation
that we showed Captain Starbuck, then Major Boomer, and finally Commander
Apollo. This is Earth's first manned mission to our natural satellite we
simply call "The Moon." After showing this video to Major Boomer he
informed us that this same video was received by the Galactica radio's
over Twenty Three years, uh, yahren ago."
     The video ran its course and Daniel concluded with another video
recording, "This video is a computer generated image that show pictures
of stars within two thousand light years of Earth." 
     A star on the hologram blinked brightly and enlarged, "This is the
Earth." Another image appeared and blinked brightly to the extreme right
of the holographic star map, "This is the planet that Captain Starbuck
crash landed on. 
     These Stargate symbols are mathematical calculations of planets we
have traveled too. This planet where Captain Starbuck crashed has been
designated P2S89G." A yellow line appeared as Daniel moved his laser pen.
A continuous yellow mark through the stars moved silently that finally
rest on the representation of the Earth.
     "As you can see Earth is still very far away, but through the
Stargate it's only a few seconds travel."
     Sire Geller interrupted, "Young man, do you really expect us to
believe this poppy-cock tale about magic portals? Really!"
     Daniel non-plussed retorted, "I assure you sir, that the Stargate is
as real as this ship."
     Sire Geller still not believing waived his hands in dismissal and
huffed.
     Apollo turned to the rude man, "It's true Starbuck, Boomer, myself
and several others traveled there and back in microns."
     The discussion went on for some time and after SG-1 and Bryan were
dismissed the council continued on through much of the night.

***

     A week/sectan had passed since SG-1 and the training staff had
arrived aboard the Galactica. After initial deliberations the counsel
ratified all of Apollo's actions and the treaty between Earth and the
fleet.
     A regular schedule of Earth videos had been released on the IFB.
Twice a day a history channel documentation ran for two centaurs and in
the evening a family movie was played. Major Davis screened all potential
movies from their vast stock. Every other night a Disney movie was played
to the delight of all the children in the fleet. Bryan had talked Major
Davis into allowing a select few movies to be shown. Some of those movies
were classics covering over the last thirty years. Davis decision to
allow these movies were to gradually help adapt the Colonial fleet to
Earth's culture.
     The forge ship had been tasked to transfer a vast amount of colonial
metals used in making vipers and the electronics ship had been tasked to
deliver samples of colonial technology. A small detachment had been sent
to Earth via Stargate to assist and train Earth scientists and
manufacturers in order to expedite a prototype.
     An installation team comprising Earth and Colonials had been
designated and had already begun a survey and technical assessment for
the network aboard the Galactica.
     Bryan led the installation team. He spent long hours and seemed to
be everywhere at once. He determined the best location of the new
Computron Core Center; which turned out to be an unused alcoves that were
a small room in their own right. These alcoves were identified and marked
for conversion of telecommunications closets on every level of the large
ship.
     Major Paul Davis was in overall supervision of the project but Bryan
had proved himself to be an invaluable asset that Davis gave a
considerable amount of control in the installation process.
     The team believed that the Galactica would have all of their
computers migrated in under ninety days, considering everything went
smooth.
     Computron coders had already begun work along with their Earth
counterparts to construct an interface program between both technologies.

***

     Colonels John Andrews and Michael Sharpe along with their squadrons
of Earth pilots had been assigned quarters on the crowded Battlestar.
     Their group had a familiarization tour and processing that would
have taken an entire week, however, everyone in the Earth group had been
adamant. They practically demanded to begin their training immediately.
     An impromptu session began two hours after they arrived and they
worked hard. The two squadrons worked in two shifts day and night of
twelve hours each. That way both squadrons would receive equal training.
     Surprisingly the only difficulty the Earth pilots had in their space
combat training were learning hyperspatial math, a complex and bizarre
form of transphysic and metaphysic math that even the most gifted in math
struggled with.
     The colonials realizing that the Earth pilots had never had even an
basic education in mathematics decided to alter their course curriculum a
bit. The equivalent of an junior high school teacher came in every day
for an hour and tutored each squadron in basic Colonial mathematics. It
would be a long road but hopefully most of them would grasp fundamental
math concepts.
     On the fifth day, the day shift successfully flew their first flight
and later that evening the night shift followed.
     Earth squadrons already had patches brought with them from Earth.
General Hammond gave the Squadron commanders the uncharacteristic
latitude of formally naming their Squadrons. After little debate both
Colonel's agreed that the detachment of Earth squadrons would be
designated Eagle and Raptor Squadrons.
     Each patch showed their respective animal above the standard gray
Stargate Chevron. Eagle squadron had a number fifteen in the center of
the chevron, just like regular SG teams and Raptor squadron had a Sixteen
in theirs.
     For morale's sake Apollo allowed Eagle and Raptor squadrons to
continue wearing Air Force flight suits, however the pilots were required
to wear a special G-force suit underneath and for communications sake had
to wear the Egyptian style flight helmet of the Galactica.
     Every now and then a bridge officer would note that their scanners
registered an unknown and then it vanished. Believing a Cylon patrol was
looking for them they sent out patrols but could not conclusively prove
it was not a glitch or some other anomaly.

***

     It was late and Hera wanted to check up on Bryan. She had not seen
him much due largely in part to Bryan being the project manager and also
to the fact that he worked non-stop beside his people.
     Hera approached the Galactica's newly appointed Computer Network
Server room. On the door a square, red magnetic plague with white letters
was centered on the door. The plague read, "Warning! This is a restricted
area. All personnel are subject to search upon entry. Authorized
Personnel Only. By order of the Commanding Officer." Another symbol below
that was the multi-pyramid symbol of the Galactica.
     She quietly entered and found him near the back of the compartment.
Several warriors recognized her and nodded or said hello. She smiled and
slid up beside Bryan.
     Bryan was talking to Doctor Wilker about specifications for the
fiber optic cable and where it needed to be located. Major Davis was not
in his element in the computer field but as the manager of this project
he listened intently.
     Bryan continued, "Doctor, I understand that, but these fiber optic
cables aren't susceptible to EMI radiation. This map here shows a natural
conduit that runs then entire length of the Galactica and on every level
of the ship. It's perfect and will save us hours...uh...centaurs in
installation."
     Doctor Wilker was not convinced, "That's impossible young man, and
every form of data transmission is susceptible to EMI radiation."
     Bryan raised his hand up to stay Wilkers arguments, "I agree doctor
but from what you have told me that's every form of transmission media
that you have. This is different."
    "How so?" he asked slightly miffed.
     "The transmission media is light."
     Wilker took an unconscious step back, "What? Yes, yes, I see now.
That's incredible! Yes, that means there signal degradation would only
degrade after a very long distance. What is the transmission bandwidth
and range? Are signal regenerator's needed?"
     Bryan felt a someone standing very close to him and smelled the
sweet scent of...Turning his head ever so slightly he noticed Hera
standing next to him. "Uh, Would you excuse me for a minute, oh! Uh,
centon? Harry can you fill Doctor Wilker in on the specifics."
     Harry did not miss a beat and spoke in rapid succession "The LED or
light emitting diode pulses over a billion times a second. Now that
means..."
     Doctor Wilker paused, "Incredible. Simply incredible!" He said as he
rapidly took notes on his data pad.
     Walking out of the server room single file the door closed by
itself. Bryan looked around sheepishly and then kissed Hera full on the
lips. After a few moments they stopped, suddenly realizing where they
were. Bryan saw an alcove and quickly led Hera by the hand into the
shadows.
     They kissed passionately for a minute and held each other firmly.
     "Hi." Bryan simply said.
     "Hi," Hera responded.
     "That Doctor Wilker is something."
     "Yes he is, but I did not come down here to talk about him."
     Bryan raised his eyes, "Oh! What did you come down here for?"
     Hera pinched the side of his of his abdomen. Bryan jerked his torso
sideways, "Ow."
     "I came to see the head computron master for myself."
     "Oh! I see. We'll my lady you have come to the right place."
     Hera's smile dimmed to worry, "Bryan, you are working way to much.
Why don't you call it night?  You are supervising the day and night shift
plus actually helping out with the work itself. Your not Clark Dent."
     Bryan laughed, "That's Clark Kent and I think you mean "Superman"?
Clark Kent is the alter ego of the superhero."
     Hera tugged on both sides of his BDU's. "You know what I meant. Come
on, I go on long range patrol for the next two cycles, I want to spend
some time with you."
     He smiled at her, "Yes ma'am. I can't disobey an order from a
superior officer, now can I?" He snuggled up to her suggestively.
     She bit her lower lip and smiled seductively, "Careful sergeant.
I'll have you put in shackles or at the very least have you locked out of
my chambers."
     A swoosh of the doors to the server room announced it's opening.
Hera gave Bryan a kiss on the cheek and said quietly, "meet me outside of
the rejuvenation center in thirty centons."
     With that she left quickly the other way.
     Bryan rested his back on the alcoves bulkhead. He exhaled quietly as
he walked out of the alcove and nearly ran into Major Davis. He was not
smiling. 
     "Oh! Excuse me sir, sorry I did not see you." Bryan started to walk
around him.
     "Everything all right sergeant?"
     Bryan smiled non-chalantly, "Yes, sir. Just coordinating my schedule
with the lieutenant."
     Davis was not smiling, "You know sergeant that fraternizing with
officers is against regulations?"
     Bryan color paled, "I know that major."
     "Good. I wouldn't want to pull you from this project. I need you
here. Your doing a great job but keep away from the Commanders daughter."
     "But Major...she's not in our military, those rules..."
     Davis eyes flared with anger, "Sergeant! I don't care whose military
she is in. You will conduct yourself according to our rules! Our
REGULATIONS! This is a critical juncture for Earth, not just America, but
for the whole planet. For the first time since the SGC has been
established we are finally getting something back that might actually
save this planet from the Goa'ould threat. I won't have you screwing it
up."
     Pausing Davis took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Sergeant
you will not see Lieutenant Hera except in an official capacity."
     Bryan's eyes flashed angrily at Davis. "I am sorry, I can't do
that."
     Davis face reddened, "Does it say major anywhere on my uniform?" 
     "Yes, sir it does."
     Shouting, Davis said, "YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY AND YOU WILL DO IT
WHEN TELL YOU TOO OR I WILL THROW YOU IN THE GALACTICA'S BRIG! DO YOU
UNDERSTAND ME, AIRMAN?" He put strong emphasis on the airman.
     Bryan had not been yelled at since basic training but that
discipline came back in a heartbeat.
     Standing at attention he yelled back, "Yes, sir!"
     Davis calmed down and said, "Dismissed. Hit the bunk sergeant, get
some sleep, or take a cold shower but I don't want to see you anymore
tonight."
     Bryan turned around smartly and disappeared around the corner, while
Davis went back into the Server room.
     A shadow moved from the other side of the compartment. Starbuck
peeked around the corner. An unlit fumerello hung in his mouth. Pain
etched his face and he took the fumerello from his mouth and muttered,
"Frakking Primitives."
     Starbuck loved Hera like his own daughter. He could not stand the
thought that something as silly as enlisted and officer separation would
prevent the couple from being together.
     Boomer had mentioned the event on that planet behind the colonial
shuttle to him. Starbuck had known Hera all her life and she had always
been so focused on being a viper pilot that almost everything else,
including boys was pushed aside.
     Now she was obviously in love with a good man and from Earth and it
was against some backwards fifth millennium tradition that stood in the
way love. 'That's not going to happen if I have anything to say about
it.'
     In the Colonies, military service never interfered with romance.
That was taboo. You could mess with a warrior, maybe even his buddies,
but you never, ever interfered with his love life. Period.
     Starbuck sighed and put the fumerello back into his mouth, "I knew
this was too easy." And then he went toward the rejuvenation center.
     Hera had quickly changed into a flowing blue gown. Three strips of
the blue ran the length of her arm and stopped at her wrist where a cuff
terminated. Several portions of her bare arm could be seen.  Her hair was
pinned up and she even had applied makeup.
     Hera exited her bedroom chambers where she grew up. Inside the
living area her mother Sheba sat reading a report on a data pad and
drinking something hot from a mug.
     Sheba glanced up and then continued reading. She realized there was
something different. "Hera?"
     Hera sighed realizing she wasn't leaving without saying something,
"Yes, mother?"
     "You, you look great! Uh, is there some special occasion tonight?"
     Hera blushed, "No, just wanted to change out of my warriors
uniform."
     Sheba smiled, "Uh, huh." Sipping from her mug she asked, "So this
wouldn't have to do with a certain boy, say, from Earth? Would it?"
     "Mothhheeerrrr!" Hera droned.
     Sheba raised her hand, "All right." She laughed. "Just be careful!
We don't know anything about Earth's culture."
     Hera kissed her mom on the cheek and ran out, "All right! Gotta go,
bye!"
     Sheba continued to review her data pad and sip from her mug. Smiling
to herself she muttered, "Some things never change, no matter what planet
your from."

***

     Hera arrived a little early at the rejuvenation center. She nodded
to a couple that went inside.
     Bryan rounded the corner looking like he had lost his best friend.
Hera smile dropped almost immediately and she quickly met him in the
corridor. "What's wrong?"
     Bryan looked to the floor, "Look, uh, Hera, I can't see you
anymore." Bryan's heart was bursting but he had to obey orders.
     "Why? What happened?"
     Bryan fidgeted from one foot to another. "Look I can't talk about
right now, I just came to tell you...I am sorry."
     Hera stood unbelievingly at him, "Bryan! Just tell me what's going
on."
     Bryan was so tormented by duty and love that he did not even know
how to tell her. "I, I have to go."
     She grabbed him by the arm and turned him around. Tears streamed
down her eyes, "I don't understand? Why can't you tell me? Bryan tell me?
Have I done something to hurt you?"
     "No."
     "Then what is all this felgercarb? I love you! Please tell me how
you feel?" Her tears flowed freely down her reddened cheeks.
     Bryan stood there for a moment in terrible anguish, "I..."
     Hera anguish turned to pain, and her pain quickly turned to anger.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and pulled something out
from a hidden pocket. She threw it down where it hit the deck with a
metallic ring, "Fine! You keep this until you decide to tell me how you
really feel." She spun on her heel and ran to her quiet place to cry in
secret."
     Bryan reached down and picked up the object Hera had thrown down. It
was the coin he had given her. Bryan dropped the coin and stood still for
a moment. Tears threatened to overwhelm him and he hit the wall as hard
as he could.
     Someone behind him nudged him. Bryan whirled in anger and came face
to face with Starbuck. "You know you shouldn't be littering the corridors
with this stuff." Starbuck smiled and clenched the fumerello with his
teeth.
     Bryan took the coin and his anger seemed to deflate visibly, "Hi
Captain."
     Starbuck tilted his head to the side and said, "Hey, uh, why don't
you call me Starbuck, huh?"
     Bryan smirked, "It would be against regulations."
     Starbuck smiled, "Probably, but sometimes you got too know when to
go around them."
     Bryan cocked his head to one side realizing what he had said.
     Snapping his fingers Starbuck said, "Hey, kid, I got a great idea.
Why don't we go down to the launch bay and I'll give you that tour we had
talked about?"
     Bryan tried to smile but it turned into a grimace, "Look, it's not
the best time right, now, o.k."
     Starbuck took Bryan by the arm and pulled him toward a turbo lift
anyway. "Yeah, probably, but let's go anyway."
     When Starbuck and Bryan reached the landing bay several people
congratulated him and smacked Bryan on the shoulder that Cassie had
healed after the decontamination chambers.
     Starbuck led Bryan to his new viper. "Here ya go kid."
     Bryan smiled despite himself, "Whew! She's beautiful." Bryan slid
his hand lovingly across the length of the viper's hull.
     Another crewman walked up to Starbuck, "Nice going Starbuck!"
     Starbuck waved, "Thanks." Then to Bryan, "So, Bryan let me check you
out on these controls. Here get in."
     Bryan looked like he won the lottery, "Sure." After climbing in
Starbuck pointed, "O.k. Here is the joystick, I am sure it's the same on
your jets. Here's..."
     "Hey Starbuck! Next time your in the officers club, the drinks are
on me!" A viper pilot waved.
     Starbuck smiled, "Thanks." Then under his breath, "This is getting
better and better." Then to Bryan, "All right, here is the main energizer
and the backup one. Those three switches, yeah, that's the Tylieum
conversion generators. One for each..."
     "Starbuck? Glad to see you made it back in one piece!"
     Starbuck smiled but was starting to get frustrated. "All right,
those three square yellow buttons."
     Marten was on nights this sectan and strolled toward Starbuck, "Hi
Captain, Great job on your last mission."
     Starbuck rolled his eyes before turning, "Frack. Hi Marten, thanks."
Starbuck faced Bryan who looked up in exasperation, "Hey, kid, I got a
great idea." Turning to Marten, "Hey Marten, are there any training
vipers that I can take out?"
     Marten frowned, "Captain no training flights have been authorized
for tonight."
     Starbuck waved his hand in dismissal, "Yeah, but I've been out of a
viper for so long that I want to get some flight time before my patrol
tomorrow. Ya know work out an pre-flight jitters from my crash."
     Marten started to laugh, "I am sorry Captain..."
     The flight chief Artemeus came up and shooshed Marten quiet. "No
problem Captain. Give us a few centons to prep one. Ah, training viper
three in section eight, all right?"
     Starbuck smiled in appreciation, "Uh, thanks chief." Then to Bryan,
"Come on kid, tours over."
     Bryan was a little confused but obediently got out of the cockpit.
     Marten was confused as well. When Starbuck and his Earth friend left
earshot. "Chief, you know we can't do that."
     Artemeus smiled and nudged Martin in training viper three's
direction, "That man just gave true hope to every man, women, and child
in this fleet. As long as I am down here, he gets anything he wants. Now
get going, go prep viper three." With a final shove from Artemeus, Marten
left reluctantly.
     Bryan entered a small storeroom with several spare uniforms and
flight helmets. "Starbuck, what was that all about?"
     Starbuck smiled, his fumerello moved from side to side in his mouth,
"I can't get a word in edge wise, I figure out there we can get a few
centons peace." Starbuck handed him an Egyptian looking flight helmet.
"Here."
     Bryan looked dumbfounded, "Out there? You, you mean, space?"
     Starbuck handed him a warriors outfit, "Yeah, your real smart, I can
see now what Hera sees in you."
     Bryan frowned darkly.
     "Make sure you put that g-force suit on underneath or you won't like
the rest of the trip, huh?"
     A few centons later, Starbuck and another warrior walked casually to
"Section Eight" of Landing Bay Alpha. Artemeus was waiting for him and
smiled knowingly at Starbuck and the unauthorized co-pilot.
     The flight control operator for the night shift sat at Rigels usual
seat. "Section Eight, Launch Bay Alpha. Transferring controls to training
craft, launch when ready."
     Starbuck pointed to the rear seat and Bryan climbed in. "Make sure
you buckle in securely."
     "O.k. kid. Now comes the fun part. I am activating the Tylieum
conversion process." Starbuck flipped three switches and pushed three
yellow rectangular buttons, "Now I am starting the three pulse
generators."
     Bryan grinned from ear to ear, his emotional pain momentarily
forgotten. He watched the steam rising lazily beside "his" starship, and
listened to the viper's engines as they increased in volume. 'I am
actually going to fly in a starship!' He thought.
     The viper's engines purred seductively and Starbuck brought him back
to reality, "O.k. Bryan gently push the turbo button on the center of the
joystick and sit back and enjoy the ride.
     Bryan pushed the button and was rewarded with his head slamming into
his acceleration seat. The viper catapulted down the triangular launch
tube. They quickly gained speed as a blur of steam pipes and other
unknown devices hurled past him at super sonic speeds.
     He laughed all the way down the launch tube.

***

     Apollo knew he should be in bed but even though he was exhausted
from the cycles events he found his way to the bridge. It somehow calmed
him.
     A flight technician reported on the training viper's position,
"Short range beacon, on and functioning. Training probe three attaining
light speed and accelerating, point one, point two, point three past
light speed. Training probe three launched successfully, sir."
     Apollo turned with a questioning look too the night shift officer,
"Who's launching a training probe at this centaur?"
     Attilin shrugged, "The request came at the last minute. Captain
Starbuck wanted to get some flight time."
     "Why did he take a training viper? He was assigned a new viper,
right?"
     "Captain Starbuck is on long range recon in the morning. He didn't
want to put the flight crew through any last minute changes since his
viper was being prepped now by the night shift."
     "Starbuck has flight duty in the morning and you authorized him a
joy ride tonight?"
     Attilin shrugged again, "How could I say no to the man who found
Earth? With respect sir, Captain Starbuck is a living legend, even if I
disapproved his request the flight crews would do anything he asked."
     Apollo frowned a bit, but nodded.

***

     In Alpha Landing Bay a flight a crewman was prepping a shuttle that
had not been used since Commander Apollo's team returned.
     He was a flight crewman of thoroughness and had gained an excellent
reputation in that area.
     He really did not expect to find anything but still...Running a
scanner along the undercarriage of the shuttle he checked for solium
leaks.
     It beeped twice indicating an anomaly.
     "What the frack?"
     He checked his scanner and completed another scan.
     "There it is again!" 
     Running his hand underneath the back end of an lateral stabilizer he
found a small orb. Crawling on his knees and looking up he found a alien
device attached to it. He scanned it but could not discern what it was.
It emitted a low power Neutrino phase particles every now and then but
otherwise did nothing.
     He tried to remove it but it would not budge. Realizing this could
be a problem he contacted flight chief Artemeus.
     After a small crowd of flight crewman pondered and scratched their
collective heads Artemeus called a technician down to the landing bay to
discern its purpose.

***

     Several parsecs away Bryan whistled, "Whew! I never thought I would
be doing this when I joined the Air Force."
     "Did you fly in what did you call them?"
     "Jets, and no. I am enlisted remember, only officers can fly in the
Air Force."
     "Well, enjoy it, kid."
     "It's so different from a planets surface."
     "What is?" Starbuck asked.
     "Huh? Oh! Uh, Stars. They're so bright. Crystal clear."
     "That's the planets atmosphere and cloud cover that filters the
brightness out. I always enjoy this part about flying. Just me, a fast
ship and a fair galaxy."
     Starbuck and Bryan's conversation turned to more personal ones. "Uh,
Bryan, listen, about you and Hera..."
     "Starbuck look, there is no Hera and I. It's against regulations. My
boss threatened to throw me in the Galactica's brig if I did not stop
seeing her. It's against our regulations to fraternize with officers."
     "Your regulations but did you ever think about our regulations?"
     "What do you mean?"
     "Well the Colonial military doesn't have any rules like that. It's
considered wrong to interfere with someone's personal life."
     "I don't believe it!"
     "Believe it kid. Ever wonder why Hera got so upset?"
     "I thought it was because I didn't tell her how I felt. Your saying
she doesn't realize Air Force regulations is so stringent?"
     "Yeah, you're real smart." Starbuck quipped.
     "Starbuck, look, it doesn't matter what your regulations are. They
don't apply to me. Believe me when I say it hurt more than you can
imagine to hold myself back and not tell her I love her."
     "Do you? Does your culture hold the same value on love that we do?"
     "What do mean? We know how to love. People around the world get
married all the time, my mom and dad got married young and stayed
married."
     "Is that what you want from Hera? Marriage?"
     That shocked Bryan, "Hey, look I'm only twenty-two! I can't even
date Hera much less think about a commitment like that."
     "Good!"
     "Good?" Bryan asked incredulous. "I thought you wanted us together?"
     "Well, kid I have too admit, I am over-protective when it comes to
my best friends daughter. For Sagan's sake, she's like a daughter to me
and I wanted to hear it from you that your not just toying with an
innocent girl...she is still innocent isn't she?"
     Bryan countered, "With all due respect Captain; that's none of your
damn business!"
     Starbuck smirked to himself, "All right, all right. I can respect
that, but Major Davis is right."
     "What do you mean?" Bryan asked.
     "Earth and the fleet are in a precarious situation at best. While
everyone is happy about finding Earth, our problems are not over yet, and
a casual fling that breaks the heart of the daughter of our Fleet
Commander might be enough to mess this up for everyone."
     "I see your point." Bryan sighed, "But it's a moot point anyway,
like I said, there is no 'us.'"
     Although Bryan could not see Starbucks face, he smiled his most
fatherly expression, "Now you just trust ole Uncle Starbuck. We'll fix
this, somehow." Inwardly Starbuck hoped he could make good on his
promise.
     "Now then, Bryan check the scanners like I showed you. There won't
be much too see, we are very far away from the fleet."
     Bryan pushed buttons and flipped switches. An attack scanner came to
life and he watched as the hourglass green image waved in and out. Vector
data scrolled to the left of the scanner. 'Hey!' Bryan thought.
     "Starbuck?"
     "Yeah?"
     "If I am reading these instruments right, there's something out
there, a lot of something's."
     "Look, kid, I told ya. There's nothing out there, we are parsecs
away from the fleet and none of our patrols are on this vector. This is
the vector Hera and I are patrolling in the morning."
     Bryan tried the war book. "Information coming in...Hey Starbuck what
did you call the bad guys?"
     "What? You mean the Cylons?"
     "Oh! Crap!" Bryan said.
     "Confirmed over seventy-six Cylon Raiders" Starbuck said after
checking his scanners.
     "Starbuck! Let's get outta here!"
     "Kid, you speak the wisdom of the Lords!" Starbuck pressed his turbo
button and swung his ship around and back to the fleet. Great white
plumes of fire pushed the viper away at incredible speeds.
     Starbuck and Bryan raced ahead of the Cylon Task Force heading
toward the fleet.
     "Channel Operative! Galactica, this is Training Probe Three, we got
a Cylon Task Force headed your way."
     "Galactica! Come in... Frak!"
     Bryan sweated heavily, "What's wrong? Why doesn't the Galactica
answer?" He looked backward to the left and right staring at the darkness
of space.
     "We're being jammed."
     "Can we outrun them or lead them away from the fleet?"
     "That was my first thought, but their heading straight toward the
fleet. Every time I adjusted my course away from the fleet they continued
straight ahead. No we have to get out of jamming range and warn the
Galactica."

     Cylon fighters flew straight toward the Galactica's position
provided by Baltar, now Demios, and a Goa'ould.
     Four Raiders in the forward most part of the task force picked up
the lone viper on their scanners.
     The voice pattern of the Cylons Centurions spoke slowly and
methodically, "Scanners have detected a single Colonial Viper turning
away from us."
     "Confirm Viper Craft."
     "Confirmed." The soulless voice announced.
     "Destroy the Galactica's probe. It must not warn the humans or we
will lose the advantage."
     "By your command."

     Bryan checked the scanner, "Four fighters are closing in."
     "How close?" Silent light exploded to the vipers left, "That close?
Great!" Starbuck said sarcastically.
     Starbuck tried several maneuvers and finally got a shot in. He
depressed the fire button on the left of his joystick. The Cylon fighter
exploded in a huge fireball.
     "Yeah!" Bryan said.
     Starbuck hit his reverse braking flaps and depressed the "IM" button
on his joystick. As an afterthought he said, "Hold on!"
     Bryan's head jerked forward, "Ow! Geez!"
     Starbuck quickly resumed forward acceleration of his viper and took
two more fighters out.
     Bryan looked down at the scanner, "Starbuck!"
     The Cylon raider dived in for the kill.
     "I see it! Boy! These guys are a lot better than they used to be."
Starbuck pulled hard on his joystick trying to flee the Cylon attacker.
     The viper rocked violently and the smell of smoke filled the
cockpit. Starbuck purposely over compensated his pitch and rolled his
viper over its end so that his nose was pointed in the Cylons direction
while continuing to fly forward. Without hesitation Starbuck fired and
destroyed the last of the lead fighters.
     Bryan pushed his hands tightly against the cockpit glass and moaned
pitifully. Starbuck righted his craft and continued toward the Galactica,
"That's it for the jamming...You okay kid?"
     Bryan moaned again and closed his eyes, "How's the ship?"
     "Terrible, servos are burned out all over, we're going full throttle
and there's a warning light on the landing gear."

***

     On the bridge of the Galactica a technician reported, "Commander,
we're receiving Training Probe Three's signal."
     Apollo smiled, "Good, have him land I want to talk to him."
     "Sir, that's just it, Probe three just appeared out of nowhere."
     "Nowhere? That's impossible and you know that."
     The technician shrugged, "I know sir, but it's as if he was being
jammed or something."
     The communications technician called out, "Commander, we got an
emergency transmission from Training Probe Three."
     Major Attilin motioned, "Patch it up here to the scanner."
     The technician nodded and pushed the correct sequence of buttons.
     Starbucks voice came over the commlink, "Channel Operative!
Galactica, this is Training Probe Three, we're under attack. There's a
Cylon Task Force headed your way."
     "Starbuck!" Apollo all seriousness, "We are not reading anything on
long range scanners, how many did you see?"
     "Over seventy Raiders."
     Apollo spoke in his most authoritative voice, "BATTLESTATIONS!
Prepare Blue, Red, Green, and Gold squadrons."
     The lights turned menacingly red throughout the large bridge.
     The portion of the command area where Apollo was standing swung on a
circular platform toward a more favorable position where he could see
most of the bridge for combat.
     People all over the Galactica hurriedly walked to their assigned
stations. Inside the viper squadron barracks, pilots scrambled out of
their bunks, grabbed their helmets and headed for a tram specifically
built that ran the length of the Galactica. This tram would provide rapid
travel to the landing bays where the pilots began pre-flight sequence and
awaited orders to launch.
     "Helm!" Apollo ordered, "Bring us around, and prepare to rendezvous
with Training Probe Three."
     "What speed, Sir?" Attilin asked.
     "Point Fourteen past Light speed."
     Attilin nodded, "Calculating vector coordinates."
     "Launch Gold and Green Squadrons when ready."

***

     Sheba made it to the bridge followed by SG-1. "Commander Apollo?
What's going on?" Jack asked.
     Apollo ordered Attilin, "Seal all compartments." Then to Jack, "One
of our...probes has detected a Cylon Taskforce headed this way. We now
know that the device our flight crews found a short time ago on my
shuttle was some sort of Goa'ould homing beacon."
     Jack frowned, "But you said that was a Goa'ould piece of technology.
How would the Cylons know where we are?"
     Teal'c proposed the obvious, "Perhaps Heru'Ur and these Cylons you
speak of are allied together."
     Apollo and Jack both turned toward Teal'c incredulously.
     "Great! That's just what we need," Jack said.
     Omega took over his station, "Commander, we're ready for light
speed."
     "Omega, inform the fleet that Gold and Green squadrons will provide
protection while we meet the Cylons head on. We will draw the Cylons away
from the fleet to minimize casualties."
     Omega nodded as Sheba came around Omega's station and read his
scanner readouts. 
     Jack asked Sheba, "Is there anything we can do?"
     Sheba smiled, "No Colonel, thank you."
     Omega received a call from the Beta Landing Bay, "Commander, Eagle
and Raptor Squadrons are requesting permission to join Blue and Red
squadrons."
     Apollo shook his head, "Negative, even if Earth's pilots were fully
qualified we won't commit everything we have to this battle. Tell them to
stand down. Omega, light speed."
     The Galactica moved slowly at first but gradually gained speed. In
under a centon she had attained light speed. In the microns that
followed, light from a distant star reflected from her white hull, giving
the appearance of a bright, white star streaking across the heavens.

***

     Training Viper Three smelled of burning plastic and smoldering
metal. It no longer flew smoothly but bobbed side to side. Bryan was
starting to wonder whether this had been such a good idea or not.
     "What do ya think, Starbuck? Are we gonna make it?"
     "Will we make back to the Galactica? Yeah, I think so. Can we safely
land? Let's just say if this we're a game of pyramids, I wouldn't take
that bet."
     Bryan put his face in his hands, "Oh! Great."
     Starbuck continued after a brief pause, "You know, my flight
instructor back at the Academy told me once, "There are three vipers you
fly; the one you train in, the one you fly in, and the one you die in."
     Bryan wrinkled his face in consternation, "What the hell is that, a
pep talk? Tell me this? Don't you have any scenarios in case this ever
happened?"
     "Yeah, it happens every now and then. Matter of fact I had to land
after my viper got shot up during the destruction of the fleet."
     You mean you went through this more than once? He asked amazed.
     "Yeah."
     "Great! Did you come out in one piece?"
     Starbuck shrugged, "More or less. I crashed my ship on the deck
while it was on fire."
     Bryan stared at the back of Starbucks seat incredulous, "Screw
that!"

***

     Omega reported the Galactica's progress. "Two hundred centons from
Viper Three, moving down too fifteen centons at full speed."
     Everyone on the bridge listened to Starbucks conversation. Apollo
asked Athena, "Who's that with Starbuck?"
     Athena frowned, "I am not sure" Speaking into her headset
microphone, "Training Probe Three, this Core Command, Starbuck who is
your co-pilot?"
     'Think Starbuck, think!' He said to himself. "Ah, Cadet Torres is
riding with me."
     Athena made a frown and asked no one in particular, "Who's Cadet
Torres? We don't have a Cadet Torres?"
     Jack put a hand to his forehead, "Oh! Crap."
     Sam rolled her eyes, "Bryan!"
     Teal'c and Daniel looked at each other but said nothing.
     Apollo shook his head at his best friends audacity, "Starbuck! You
didn't?"
     Bryan interrupted, "Galactica this is Training Probe Three declaring
an emergency, our landing gear is out and our throttle is wide open,
request instructions, over."
     Apollo smiled at Bryan's professionalism. Touching Athena's arm, "Go
ahead, give him whatever assistance you can."
     "Bryan what are you doing? Your not a viper pilot!" Starbuck yelled.
     Athena interrupted him, "Cadet Torres locate the auxiliary panel to
your right."
     Starbuck shook his head, "Great, now everyone's going crazy."
     The viper rocketed ahead as the Galactica came into view, a small
image that was rapidly getting larger.
     "Got it." 
     Athena led Bryan through an intricate pattern of rotating
servomechanisms on and off trying to bypass the damage.
     "It's no good. Nothings working."
     Apollo tapped Athena on the shoulder, "Tell him we'll shut down at
the outer marker, and rig the new barrier system."
     Bryan stared at the control panels. Smoke filtered through to access
vents on either side. "Of course!"
     Athena questioned, "Repeat your last Training probe."
     Bryan hurriedly reached into a black Velcro pouch attached to his
belt. He pulled a multiplier tool from it and with practiced ease pulled
out a screwdriver and went to work on the access panel. "Just a minute. I
am trying something."
     Starbuck heard him working, "Bryan? What are you doing back there,
we're in trouble and your playing with the electronics?"
     Bryan got the access plate off and saw several unfamiliar devices
and multi-colored cables that did not match any color scheme for
electronics he had ever seen. "Galactica, this is training viper three, I
got the servo access plate off but I don't know what these color schemes
for the circuits mean."
     On the Galactica Athena asked Apollo, "Why would he take the access
plates off? He couldn't possibly repair a damaged servo from there."
     Apollo grinned, "I think I know what he's doing. Help him find the
correct servos."
     Athena nodded and told Bryan, "Find a circular servo that is dark
brown with an electrical cable on either end."
     Bryan pulled wires and servos out till he had a mess sitting in his
lap. "O.k., I got four devices that look like what you described, over."
     "Find the one marked Omega C circuit. It will have a brown cable
with three blue rings on the cables nearest the servo."
     Bryan quickly found the correct servo, "I got it. The wire is
damaged. It's blackened on either end of the servo and there's a little
smoke, over."
     Athena sighed, "That's it then Cadet, there's nothing you could do,
good try but you'll just have to take your chances."
     Bryan sat still thinking a moment.
     Starbuck tried to console him, "Good try kid, but we'll just do this
the old fashioned way. With any luck..."
     Bryan tuned everything else out of his mind. 'The servo is burned
out and the cables on either side are burned on the ends so that means
there's no electrical current going through. That means we need another
servo and electricity to bypass...' "Galactica! Training Viper Three
here! I got another idea. The servo is burned out and part of the cable
is damaged so the servo won't extend the landing gear or stop the
engines, right?"
     Athena shook her head, "That's correct viper three."
     "So all we need is a similar servo with the right capacitance to
lower the landing gear, right?"
     "That's also correct viper three but you don't have any spare
servo's so it's a moot point. Let Starbuck do his job all right?"
     Starbuck smiled, "Good try kid, but..."
     "Galactica, We have everything we need right here! We have two
problems: One, our landing gear won't extend and Two; the throttle on the
ships engines are wide open. What does the servo for the accelerator
throttle look like?"
     Athena smiled for the first time, "Great idea cadet! It's the green
cable with a similar servo attached to either end, but cutting power to
the throttle and splicing that one on the landing gear servo won't do it
because in space you will just keep going in the same speed and
direction. You'll have to also manually start the electronic braking
flaps as well."
     Bryan sweated as he quickly cut power to the throttle servo and
stripped enough of the ends wiring to connect with the landing gear wire.
He looked up and could now see the Galactica's image as it grew larger
every second. He had just begun twisting the wires together when Athena
realized she forgot to warn Bryan, "Viper Three, be careful that is a
live electrical circuit you're handling and it carries considerable..."
     Bryan howled in pain. Athena removed her headset for a moment and
winced partly in sympathy and partly from the high decibel level of his
voice, "Sorry Viper Three."
     Bryan willed his hands free from pinching the wire but it took
several painful seconds to pull his shaking hands free. He shook his
hands trying to get feeling back into them. A thumb and forefinger had
little black marks on them and were very sensitive.
     Starbucks landing gear sensor blinked on and his engine output
dropped off to nothing.
     "Bryan! You did it! Now cut the braking flaps wire and attach it to
the two wires on the throttle servo."
     Bryan found the right cable with Athena's help. He turned his head
sideways as he willingly shocked himself again while he twisted the wires
together.
     "Yeeeeeaaahhh!" Starbuck whooped in victory as the viper lurched,
then slowed to a relative crawl." 
     Omega reported on the viper's progress. "Confirmed, viper has slowed
to safe approach speed."
     Apollo shook Jacks hand and the bridge crew cheered.
     A few moments later Rigel reported, "Viper has been recovered."
     Apollo's grin disappeared, "Have Starbuck prepare to launch from his
assigned viper and...have Cadet Torres report to the bridge."
     "Scanners picking up a wall of Cylon fighters headed this way."
Omega said.
     Sheba ordered, "Launch Blue and Red Squadrons!"
     Rigel spoke into her headset, "Launch Bays Alpha and Beta,
transferring control to viper fighters, launch when ready."
     Jack and Sam watched the fighters launch on the monitor. Similar
scenes happened simultaneously from each launch tube. Viper after viper
rocketed through the Galactica at incredible speed. Jack smiled widely
and pointed at the monitor, "Now, that's impressive."
     Sam commented in her usual fashion, "Their catapult system appears
to be more powerful than a aircraft carrier's system, say on the order of
ten times. You see how the launch tubes all point away from the ship.
They can launch their entire force in seconds. If you calculate the speed
of the catapult, factoring in overall power output from the vipers
generators and..."
     Jack frowned, "Carter!"
     Sam was brought back to the moment, "Sir?"
     Jack waved his hands in dismissal, "Never mind."
     "Uh, yes sir." Sam smiled sheepishly.
     "Ninety microns till contact." Athena said.
     Sheba ordered, "Arm all laser turrets."
     All throughout the immense ship laser turrets came to life and
swiveled around and began looking for targets."
     The senior fire control technician announced in a slow, deadpanned
voice, "Fire control stations manned and operational."

***

     Cree had been sitting for centaurs or cycles he did not know which.
He leaned against the wall in his water pit. The pit was a six by six
cubicle just high enough that he could not jump to the top.
     He was sore, bruised, and bleeding from a previous torture session.
His lip was sore and if not for the water in the pit it probably would
have begun healing by now. Water from the pit kept it moist and swollen.
His right eye had swelled shut after the first few blows from a Jaffa.
His mouth was dry and he would have drank some water from the pit in
which he sat however, this pit was a self induced pit in that there was
no place to urinate so he went in the only place available. If the water
had not been contaminated before it is now.
     In his first session he remained stoic and upbeat saying not a
single word. The second session he had wept near the end. At least he
thought he did. He did not remember much after passing out. Of course he
welcomed the bliss of sleep but dared not for fear of drowning in the
water pit.
     The last of his reserves had long been spent in the third session
and he cracked. He tried to tell them anything but they didn't believe
him and for some reason every time he was asked if his name was Cree the
Jaffa hit him harder.
     He remembered...
     The guards came for him and pulled the heavy grate back and plucked
him up as if he weighed nothing. They half drug him/stumbled his way to
the torture chamber. 
     The Jaffa touched an unknown control and Cree flew up against the
wall and he couldn't move. Invisible bonds held him in place.
     "Human! Your name!"
     "My, my name?" He stuttered.
     The Jaffa hit him in the stomach. Wind exhaled sharply from his
mouth and he tried to double over but in his stretched out position on
the wall made it somewhat difficult.
     "Cree!" Cree said.
     The Jaffa stared at him for a moment and then pelted him. "Cree! You
dare mock me human?"
     "I told you CREE you fracken gallmonging son of a daggit!"
     For the answer Cree provided he was pummeled again and again. This
line of questioning went on for several minutes.
     "Your NAME!" the Jaffa screamed. He enjoyed torturing mere humans
but this one was obstinate enough to actually order him to pay attention
to him.
     'That's it' Cree thought. 'I got him where I want him now.' Blood
flew from his mouth from another blow to the face.
     "If you say Cree one more time you die! Now! WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
     "CREE! You fracken mind-wipe!" Cree knew his life was over but he
was not giving this daggit any more information.
     The Jaffa pulled out a large knife and almost slit his throat when
Heru'Ur stepped in. "Jaffa! Cree human." Which in Goa'ould meant "Listen
up or attention."
     In his Goa'ould multi-voice he spoke, "You are brave but surely
there's no harm in telling your name."
     Cree raised his head with supreme effort and said just above a
whisper, "Cree."
     The Jaffa believing Cree to have shown disrespect started to pelt
Cree's face but Heru'Ur motioned for him to stop.
     Cree spit blood out of his mouth and a tooth, "My name is CREE."
     Heru'Ur and the Jaffa looked at Cree with astonishment, "You do come
from an interesting people. I shall enjoy enslaving them. You need not
try hiding any information from me, I have already been told everything
about your primitive Battlestar and after I finish with your weakling
enemy I will turn my wrath to your people and the planet which they
seek."
     Cree squinted with one eye toward him in astonishment.
     Heru'Ur smiled in demonic glee, "Yes. I know all about your precious
quest to find your lost Thirteenth Tribe."
     Cree's mind seemed like a heavy fog from the repeated beatings but
this sank in, "No."
     Heru'Ur snorted, "You are looking for a planet called Earth. In our
language they are known as the Tau'ri, but I know those humans well and
you will not receive any help from those primitives. In fact because of
you and the technology you posses, you could make them an even larger
pain in the mikta! I will personally enjoy crushing their cities to dust
and enslaving the survivors for ten thousand years." He laughed an hearty
evil laugh.
     Cree's only response was to pass out.
     That was the last session but his head hurt, he had not slept in
Lord knows how long, but he thought that's what had happened.
     His thoughts were interrupted by footsteps approaching. Cree
stiffened and knew he could not last another session and this time he was
going to use the last of his strength to kick their astrums. It was a
futile effort and in the end he would still be dead, but he was not going
out that way.
     A pair of Jaffa unchained the overhead grate and opened it. Cree
sighed and waited for rough hands to remove him.
     Instead of him being hauled up a body was thrown in. The person
flayed for balance and his head raised above water and he breathed
deeply. The newcomer was human and from the looks of it he was from the
tribe of Leo, the same as Boomers.
     The man looked at Cree and then upward. Silently he backed away to
the wall across from him. He wore green clothes and a black vest. He wore
two patches whose insignia meant nothing to Cree.
     After several minutes he turned slowly to face Cree, "Hey, you
o.k.?"
     Cree was stunned he could understand him, "Not really, how about
you."
     The other man nodded, "Yeah, I can understand that. They killed my
troops and just when I was about to warn my people and yours they beat
the hell out of me and drug me through the Stargate to wherever here is."
Smiling he extended his hand, "I'm Captain O'Connor, SG-11."
     'He seems friendly enough.' Cree thought, "Lieutenant Cree from the
Battlestar..."
     "Yeah, I know the Galactica."
     Cree stepped back shocked, "Did those mind-wipes tell you that?"
     O'Connor tilted his head and smiled, "No, I know all about you
Colonials. Met your Commander Apollo."
     "What? Is this some kind of trick?"
     "No. You're people are looking for Earth right?"
     Cree momentarily forgot his wounds, "Earth! It's real? You know
where it is?"
     O'Connor smiled, "I better know where it is, I live there."
     Cree flooded him with questions.
     "Hold on. Just a minute" O'Connor said. "Apparently you have been
out of the loop, let me fill you in."

***

     Klaxons blared and red lights dominated the bridge of the Galactica.
Personnel sat at their posts waiting for the battle to begin and to
fulfill their duties, while SG-1 stood helpless looking from one to
another, except Teal'c whose stoic expression seemed to be the only one
unconcerned.
     "Teal'c, how can you just stand there so calmly?" Jack asked.
     "My actions will not change the outcome of the battle O'Neil. We
must rely on our allies to defend us."
     Jack huffed and said something unintelligible under his breath.
     Apollo sat in his seat and demanded, "Report?"
     Omega announced, "Red and Blue Squadrons have taken up a spearhead
position in front of the Galactica. Contact with the first wave in thirty
microns." A pause and then he announced, "Ten microns, nine, eight..."

***

     Boomer led Blue Squadron and Captain Hesphatus led Red Squadron.
     "Here comes their attack wing. Don't let any of them get through.
Good luck!" Boomer said.
     Starbuck smiled, "The one who shoots the most Cylons gets a drink on
Boomer!"
     Boomer shot a dark look he knew his friend would not see, "Thanks!"
     Starbuck shrugged, "No problem, what are friends for?" Then he
chuckled to himself.


     From the bridge of the Galactica fiery blossoms of death exploded
from multiple places at one time, rendering to the imagination of a
living artwork that painted the canvas of space, erased, then repainted a
similar image at the same time.
     "Wow," Daniel said. "If it weren't for beings dying right now, that
would be beautiful."


     Colonial and Cylon fighters danced an intricate pattern of death.
Laser fire flashed across the nose of a viper and singed it.
     A viper dodged a laser bolt and fired at a Cylon Raider. The raider
exploded and the viper dodged another bolt. His wingman covered his rear
and the lead fighter dived again into the fray.
     Starbuck noticed a fighter on his scanner, "Hera, you got a fighter
on your tail."
     Hera checked her screen, "Where? I don't see..." Explosions rocked
her ship as she replied with a steel resolve, "Oh! That one?"
     Another explosion rocked her ship.
     "Hold on! I'm coming!" Starbuck thumbed his thrust button and white
fire left a streak trailing behind his ship as he rocketed toward Hera.
     The Cylon ship danced in an unfamiliar pattern, occasionally taking
shots at Hera's viper as she coolly and expertly rolled her ship out of
the way, almost as if she were reading the Cylon gunners mind. All
thoughts and pain of a certain someone all but faded from her mind during
the intense firefight. She needed all her wits to survive.
     Starbuck concentrated on his task. He fired. Laser blasts exploded
around the Cylons ship but to no avail. "Boy, these guys have suddenly
gotten better!"
     He intuited from his experience of over twenty-five yahren as a
fighter pilot where the Cylon would dodge toward and released a volley
into the void. Twin laser streaks lanced toward nothing. Before the blast
dissipated a Raider dodged into it and exploded. Shrapnel blew outward in
a three hundred and sixty degree angle.
     Hera smiled, "Nice shooting!"
     Starbuck grinned, "Just be more careful. No follow me back into the
fray, we still got a job to do."
     Hera smiled and threw a mocking salute into the air, "Yes, sir,
Captain Sir!"

***

     Omega announced, "Commander, second wave of Cylons have broken
through the perimeter."
     Sheba stood up, "What? How can that be?"
     Apollo stood up, more in frustration than for any real need. His new
style command chair sported a mini-scanner which displayed a lot of
tactical information, "They have never been that good before."
     "Problem?" Jack asked now more than a little concerned.
     Apollo started having forgotten SG-1 was there, "Cylons have only
beaten us by sheer numbers before. It takes three Centurions to pilot one
of their fighters and even then they are sluggish compared to a single
human pilot."
     Jack grimaced, "Perhaps they got upgraded back in the shop?"
     Teal'c asked Sheba, "Explain?"
     Sheba frowned, "It means two squadrons should have been enough for
this size of a force, but look at the scanner," she said pointed to a
representation that showed almost all first wave of Cylon craft were
still fighting. "There's no way Blue and Red Squadrons can make it back
in time to defend the Galactica and the other two squadrons are escorting
the fleet."
     Apollo ordered, "Omega, notify Earth's Eagle and Raptor squadrons
they launch in five centons."
     Omega nodded and started the process.

     Inside the barracks of the Earth pilots, both squadrons shared the
same open bay. Two beds were stacked upon one another in standard
military fashion and lockers lined the four walls of large room.
     Colonels John Andrews and Michael Sharpe both agreed during this
attack even though they were not being utilized that this would be a
perfect time for training.
     So in that spirit all pilots had their G-suits on underneath and
pilots uniforms complete with their new Colonial laser pistols at their
side and Egyptian looking helmet beside them.
     "All right, men, I know were not fully trained and won't be used
this time, but were not going to let these folks down. Now lets go over
once more..."
     The ships intercom came alive and Omega announced, "Eagle and Raptor
squadrons report to Alpha and Beta launch bays immediately. You launch in
five cen... min... minutes."
     A concessive cheer permeated the air and seemed to deafen the room.
Sharpe nodded to Andrews, "All right you heard them, lets go, and for
God's sake, be careful!"
     Another cheer went up as pilots ran out the door to the turbo tram
down the passageway.
     Sharpe did not share the excitement the younger men felt. They were
seasoned veterans and astronauts. Neither one said the obvious, but both
knew if the Galactica called two full squadrons of alien pilots who where
not fully trained then they knew that the battle was indeed grim. John
gently whacked Michael on the arm, from one friend to another and simply
nodded.

     The pilot's turbo tram raced down what looked like a mineshaft at
break neck speeds. Since the tram was built for speed, a short trip to
the launch bays had no seats installed. Instead everyone stood and held
on.
     The tram rounded a corner and stopped without causing the warriors
to feel the tug of inertia as they would on an Earth train.
     John muttered to himself, "Must be those inertia dampeners they
talked about on the vipers."
     The tram stopped and a large door slid open revealing the landing
bay. The pilots each ran to there ship and climbed aboard.
     John wished he had time to do a complete a walk around his ship but
US Air Force regulations were more stringent and required a lower margin
for error than Colonial standards. John had to totally trust his flight
crew that prepped their ship.
     He rounded the back of the viper and saw steam from the catapult
rise lazily into the air, oblivious to the gravity of their situation.
     He noticed the now dried polymer paint in dark gray. He paused for a
second and ran his hand across the American symbol. It was two
rectangular lines on either side, horizontally and had a large round
circle in the middle with a star. The same symbol that accompanied every
American flying craft on Earth.
     He glanced up and noticed the black eagle painted above the vipers
top engines wing. Underneath in black letters was their new designation
for this mission, SG-17 for his squadron and Colonel Sharpes squadron had
been designated SG-18.
     Underneath his squadron designator the now familiar symbol that
would represent any team "off-world" was the pyramid with a hollow circle
above the pyramid, which represented Earth.
     John took all of these things in seconds as he ran up to the ladder
beside his ship. 'His starship!' He thought. This was a dream and a
nightmare all at the same time.
     He slipped into the vipers seat in one smooth fluid motion and
attached his harness and as soon as he did the helmets lights build into
the helmet lit up in a soft glow that traced the inner lining of the
helmet.
     Inside of his helmet he heard a female's voice "Section twelve,
Launch Bay Alpha and Beta standby to launch attack wings, acknowledge?"
     John followed Colonial procedure and acknowledged all commands while
he simultaneously begins the pre-flight ignition of his ships engines and
armament.
     John interrupted Rigel, "Eagle Squadron check in?"
     "Eagle Two, standing by!" John's wing mate responded.
     "Eagle Three standing by!"
     "Eagle Four, ready!..."
     After a few seconds all members of his squadrons had responded.
     Rigel continued "Core systems transferring controls to fighter
craft, launch when ready."  
     Normally a Viper pilot would simply depress his turbo button but
John a fighter pilot of several years felt something was not right, He
turned to the launch crew and gave them a thumbs up and saluted smartly.
Flight Crew Chief Artemeus was so moved he stood up and saluted Colonial
style with the hand going to the heart instead of the head. Other flight
crews felt a rush of patriotism come upon them as well. As one body they
came to attention and saluted.
     The moment spent, John simply depressed his turbo button and
white-hot flames exploded from the three rear engines like a supernova
pushing his head and back deep into his acceleration seat. It was the
most exhilarating ride he ever had and hoped he would be around to
experience it again.
     In seconds, all vipers rocketed down their own triangular launch
tube.
     Each pilot felt more alive then than they had in years.
     On the bridge, Colonial and SG-1 alike witnessed the launch. Apollo
sighed to himself and hoped he would not regret the decision to bring
aboard Earth's pilots. "May the Lords of Kobol protect you."
     Jack gripped a rail so hard his knuckles turned white, "Come on."
     Rigel reported both squadrons progress, "Eagle and Raptor squadrons
have launched and are maintaining a distance of two hundred and fifty
thousand hectares from the Galactica."
     Omega announced, "Second wave of Cylon forces will make contact in
twenty microns...ten microns..."
     Apollo pointed to Omega, "Positive Shield, NOW!"
     Omega pressed a button and the bridges only view port went dark as a
large rectangular piece of reinforced metal sealed the bridge viewport.

***

     Eagle Squadron paired up with their respective wingmen and awaited
contact, "Here, they COME!" Sharpe announced. 
     Both opposing forces met head on, and in less than ten seconds of
battle several fighters on both sides disappeared in a ball of light.
     Vipers passed Raiders at speeds approaching that of light. "REGROUP!
REGROUP!" John and the other pilots had been warned about this. The
faster speeds and openness of space meant that by the time the wave of
opposing fighters met, fired and began to regroup they had already
traveled thousands of miles past their targets.
     Eagle Squadron regrouped and turned to fight while Raptor Squadron
ambushed the wall of Cylon fighters.
     Lieutenant Daniels of Raptor squadron fired on two raiders at one
time and banked hard to the left. Another raider fired on him and his
short but brilliant career ended in less than ten seconds of space
battle.
     Another Viper went out in a blaze of glory, then two more.
     "Dammit Raptors! Watch out for that pinwheel attack! Move! MOVE!"
Sharpe yelled.
     In the first few seconds of the melee the boys were separated from
the men. What remained of Eagle and Raptor Squadrons became more
knowledgeable and deadlier force than the deceased members of their
squadron.

***

     "Commander!" Omega announced, "Earth squadrons taking casualties but
their leveling off now."
     Apollo sighed, "What about the Cylons?"
     "Cylon forces appear to be fighting more aggressively but they too
have sustained casualties." Omega looked up at his scanner in determined
resolve but with a hint of fear, "It looks like we are evenly matched."
     Apollo nodded, "Any sign of the base stars these fighters have
launched from?"
     "No, sir. They must be outside of our range."
     "For now," Apollo said.

***

     Cylon forces poured through the Colonial ranks. A third and fourth
wave of fighters approached the lone battlestar.
     Supreme Command Centurion of the battle ordered, "Third and Fourth
Attack Wing do not stop to engage viper squadrons. We must break through
too the Galactica." It addressed specific fighters, "Galactica Death
Squadrons arm solium warheads and attack."
     John and the Earth Squadrons had their hands full. John like the
rest of the pilots were flying on borrowed time and sweated profusely as
death hung over them at every turn.
     His scanner beeped and warned, "Eagle and Raptor Squadrons we got
more Tango's coming in hot!"
     "Roger, that Eagle One. They didn't stop to engage the other
squadrons! We better form up and protect the Galactica!"
     "Eagle and Raptor Squadrons, regroup and protect "Home plate." John
ordered followed by affirmations of "WILCO and Roger".
     Vipers attacked Raiders without prejudice and yet the Cylons still
kept coming.

***

     Raiders dived and looped in an attempt to get around the wall of
vipers that kept them from their true target.
     Vipers flew in and out of the Galactica's superstructure trying to
prevent a Cylon fighter from attacking their new home.
     A raider fired at the hull of the Galactica and veered off at the
last micron. A viper crossed his path on the exit vector and it wasted no
time in lashing out with Forty Megon loads of laser fire. It blew into
bright flashes of pebble-sized metal.
     Some of the Death Squadron Raiders made it through the perimeter and
crashed into preplanned locations on Beta landing bay followed by nine
more craft in similar strategic locations. 

***

     Inside the bridge, Apollo had begun inquiring on the battle, when a
thundering sound of metal screeching reverberated throughout the ship.
Everyone stumbled or fell throughout the immense ship.
     Apollo raised up, "That wasn't a laser blast! Something hit us!"
     Omega confirmed his fears, "Sir, several Cylon fighters have hit
Beta Landing bay. Reports are that fires are out of control and emergency
blast doors have contained the fire, but..."
     Jack interrupted, "But what?"
     Apollo felt the heavy weight of command on his shoulders, "But all
personnel in Beta Landing Bay are cut off. If they can't put out the
fire..."
     "Oh! My God!" Sam said.
     Sheba ordered, "Damage Control Teams!"
     A second explosion rocked the deck, followed by a third and a
fourth. Consoles on the lower portion of the bridge exploded in a shower
of sparks.
     This time everyone on the bridge was knocked off their feet as smoke
began filling the bridge.
     Several personnel backed away from their consoles while others
retrieved fire extinguishers.
     "Sir!" Omega nearly screamed over the noise, "Beta Landing Bay..."
     "WHAT?" Apollo asked.
     Omega stood up from his position, "Sir, Beta Landing Bay has been
completely sheared off and is drifting away from us."

***

     Starbuck saw multiple flashes of intense light. Glancing over his
scanners, "Oh! My Lord!"
     Boomer knew that tone of voice, "What?"
     "Beta Landing bay has been blown to hades!" Starbuck declared.
     "WHAT? Come on?" Then to all squadrons, "Red and Blue Squadrons
disengage and protect the Galactica!"

***

     Fire suppressors and ventilation units began extracting and
cleansing toxins from the air automatically but would take several
centons to purge the atmosphere of the contaminates. 
     Outside the great ship, Beta Landing Bay drifted out in a slow
moving arc that rotated on all of its axis. Fires could be seen from a
distance as it raged out of control feeding off of the landing bays
fleeting source of oxygen. Soon the fire would be out but at the price of
the lives of the deck crew.
     "Sir! Three Cylon Base Stars and six unknown pyramid shaped ships
have dropped from light speed. I don't recognize the alien ships."
     Teal'c read the scanners data and announced, "Those are Goa'ould
Teltac Battleships. We will not survive this conflict."
     Apollo ordered, "HELM! Move away from those ships! Back off!" The
helmsman replied and the great ship lumbered off at a slow pace.
     Large bolts of energy rained down upon the Galactica. Laser
bombardments from all nine ships pummeled the old ship. Wave after wave
of Cylon and Jaffa gliders darted in and out of straying runs on the
Galactica, while others hammered at the humans fighters.

***

     Inside electronic equipment exploded, fires erupted and personnel
burned alive. The floor reverberated every couple of microns from the
relentless blasts.
     Apollo got up from the last place on the floor he had been sent too.
"Weapons! Fire Mega-Pulsar Lasers and full missile battery."
     "Which target, sir?"
     Apollo sighed, "All of them!"
     A weapons control officer reported, "Firing Mega-Pulsar
Lasers!...Direct hit on all Base ships. Firing Missiles!"
     Omega announced, "Direct hit. Two Base ships are severely wounded.
All three Cylon ships continuing pursuit. The other ships are continuing
to fire and have launched a wall of fighters."
     Apollo leaned over and helped Sheba up from the floor and noticed
blood oozing from her head, "Med-Techs! To the Bridge!" Then to his wife,
"Sit down." He indicated his seat.
     Sheba smiled weakly, "I'm all right." Putting a hand to her head she
applied direct pressure for all the good it would do.
     "Continue Firing Mega-Pulsar Lasers and missiles!" Apollo ordered.
     Omega announced, "Commander, Main energizer is out! Secondary
systems online."
     Another blast hit the ship and the floor listed to the left. Every
item not bolted down slid off equipment and clanged noisily onto the
floor. 
     "Power levels dropping! Attitude controls failing. Gravity systems
down to sixty two percent. Multiple hull breaches on decks two through
eight, ten, eleven, fifteen and sixteen." Omega announced.
     Omega checked his scanners, "Commander, one of the three base ships
has stopped pursuit. Scanners indicate rampant power fluctuations and
tylieum fires throughout the ship."

***

     Inside the dark recesses of a room, a figure stood in the shadows. A
chime rang and an older man entered. He passed the doorway and a red
shield mounted on the wall. The symbol on the shield held an upright
sword in the middle, surrounded by a large wing on either side of it. 
     The man declared, "Sir the Galactica is outmatched and outgunned.
Her Beta Landing Bay has been blown to Hades. Reading multiple fires and
power level drops throughout the ship. Also reading a large force of base
ships closing in."
     A figure in the shadows spoke, "It's time. Bring her around, ninety
degrees. Maximum velocity. Notify the fleet we'll come in from the
sunward side and attack."

***

     The Galactica was dying and there was little hope of surviving this
battle.
     Apollo surveyed the damage and realized that his fathers ship would
make its last stand here. There was no hope but he said a fervent prayer
that they would somehow survive this, until Omega announced.
     "Sir, second energizer is failing. Estimate ten centons till we lose
all power."
     Apollo bowed his head in resignation. "Sound collision! Helm:
Prepare for ramming speed!"
     Apollo looked at his wife as if in apology. Sheba smiled in
encouragement knowing there was but one duty left.
     Jack who had been silent now demanded, "What? Wait a minute! I got
people aboard here! You..."
     "Colonel, we are out of time!" Then to Athena, "Communicate to the
fleet our situation and tell them to head toward the planet were the
Earth teams are. Tell them to use the Stargate and evacuate all personnel
to Earth. Take only what they can carry."
     Athena's blue eyes were wide in shock but she managed a nod and
performed her task.
     Jack got into Apollo's face, "You can't do this! Run! Draw their
fire from here and run like hell!"
     Apollo shook his head, "No. In less than ten centons the only power
we have left is going to be used to take as many of those base ships with
us. We can't win but we can delay them." Then more gently he said, "We
need to buy time for the fleet. Right now your Stargate is their only
hope."
     Turning to his wife he nodded. Sheba took a deep breath and
depressed the velocity button. The Galactica used what little reserves
she had and jumped to flank speed in record time toward their fate.
     Omega interrupted, "Sir! Scanners show a large fleet of ships
approaching!"
     "Identify!"
     "Galactica's image must be bouncing off ion field or someone is
using some sort of distortion system. Readings indicate a multitude of
ships...They all look like similar versions of a..."
     Athena announced, "Apollo! We're receiving a Priority One Communiqu‚
over Fleet Comm Line Alpha!"
     Apollo turned in shock toward Athena, "Athena! That's impossible and
you know it. Fleet Comm Line Alpha is a scrambled communiqu‚ between
Battlestars, and since we are the only..." Apollo turned Sheba who now
wore a grin ear to ear on her face. They both said in unison one word,
     "CAIN!"
     Apollo's vid-scanner came to life and an older more distinguished
version of the last time they had seen Sheba's father appeared.
     "Greetings Adama, you old war-daggit." Cain said.
     Apollo grinned in astonishment, "Cain?"
     Cain's smile flickered for a moment, "Apollo?" Cain realized that if
Apollo was on the bridge that his long time friend must have passed on.
He changed subject. "I see." Then with a mischievous grin he announced,
"You weren't about to do something desperate with your fathers ship were
you?"
     Apollo all business announced, "Helm reverse course!" Then to Cain
he said, "Arm yourself, we got..."
     Cain interrupted him, "Don't you worry about us, we'll take care of
this."
     "We?" Apollo asked.
     Cain nodded with pride, "Yes we. My fleet will take care of those
gallmonging tin-headed Cylons and their friends. Pull back to a safe
distance and save the Galactica."
     Twelve smaller versions of the Pegasus dropped from light speed and
began hammering all the alien enemies ships. Apollo read the scanners and
vid-images.
     "Cain what are those?" Apollo asked.
     "You like them?" Cain said with more than a touch of pride. "I call
them Dagger-Stars. They were built for speed and firepower. No amenities
except basics. Each one is exactly one fourth the size of a Battlestar,
but together all twelve have the combined firepower of THREE full
battlestars!"
     Omega drew back in his seat with a start. He announced incredulous,
"Commander, Scanners picking up over four hundred vipers attacking Cylon
and Goa'ould ships."

***

     Baltar/Demios sat upon his command chair in the same command chamber
he had for nearly twenty-five yahren, only now he served Heru'Ur.
     Part of his Basestar had been upgraded but full upgrade to a
Goa'ould level would not happen for sometime due to the conflict with the
Colonials.
     He waved his hand over a device and a holographic image appeared in
the air in the center of the chamber. Statistics and the battles progress
told him of the incoming battlestar and the smaller battlestar like ships
were hammering the Teltac battleships. Although the shields on the
Goa'ould battleships were holding it was only a matter of time. Their
compliment of cylon raiders and the Jaffa death gliders were being
snuffed out and overwhelmed by these new vipers and the other
battlesatrs.
     "What!" Then he informed the centurion piloting the baseship, "Helm
fall back to Lord Heru'Urs location. Have the other base ships lead the
attack."
     "Third base ship has lost all power. I will inform the second base
ship, however it reports power failures and fires as we are
experiencing." The lead centurion said over the commline.
     Demios  contacted his master, "My lord, a fleet of battlestars has
arrived, undoubtedly Commander Cain."
     "I can see that. We are evenly matched and I will not lose these
ships. We will retreat so I can gather a larger force.
     "As you wish." Demios waved his hand over the Goa'ould device and
the holographic image of Heru'Ur disappeared.

***

     General Hammond received a call in his office, "Hammond?"
     After a couple of seconds he said, "He's here? Now? All right
Sergeant escort him down." Hammond cursed under his breath. Sirens went
off indicating activation of the Stargate. "Now what?" And went to the
Control room as the Stargate activated.
     "SG-3 I.D. Opening the iris." Then to the general, "Colonial
technicians with another shipment of electronics, sir." Sergeant Weaver
said without looking up.
     Hammond smiled, "Well at least that's good news. Have the Colonials
processed and out of sight as soon as possible."
     "Problem sir?" Weaver asked.
     Hammond sighed openly, "Senator Kinsey from Washington has arrived
and I can only assume the worst."
     Weaver tilted his head and grinned, "Sorry to hear that sir."
     Hammond started to say something when a voice that sounded more
annoyed than last time he visited, "General Hammond."
     Hammond sighed inwardly and turned to face the senator, "Senator
Kinsey. Welcome back to the SGC."
     Kinsey watched as an almost endless train of aliens and unknown
containers poured through the gate. Shaking his head, "It looks like
Pandora's box is still open."
     "Senator, we've had this conversation before."
     "And we'll have it again general. I may not be able to stop this
project but I intend to prevent any more damage from occurring."
     Hammond squared his shoulders, "Senator you wanted the Stargate to
pay off." He pointed to the Colonial teams below, "Well, it finally has.
Looks like we hit the motherload this time."
     "At what price? Superior technology for another adversary bent on
destroying mankind. That's not an acceptable trade off, general." Kinsey
demanded.
     "Sir, whether or not the Goa'ould destroy us or these Cylon
machines, we now have a chance at defending this planet with more than a
few space shuttles."
     SGC's radio came to life, "SGC this is base camp! Sattelitte imagery
has identified the entire Colonial Fleet taking up positions in orbit!
Several large ships are landing and shuttles are arriving by the
hundreds!"
     Hammond keyed the microphone, "Colonel Makepeace, what's happening?"
     "Sir, according to reports from the Colonials a combined force of
Goa'ould and those machines have nearly destroyed their space carrier.
The area is being overrun by civilian men, women, and children demanding
travel through the Stargate. The people are panicking. If we don't get
help the people might riot, sir."
     Senator Kinsey smiled arrogantly, "This is exactly what I was afraid
of. General we will not take on more problems, tell your people to lock
down the Stargate. No one is too come through that gate till further
notice."
     Hammond looked incredulous at Kinsey, "Sir, are you serious? There
are women and children in a war zone. We can't..."
     "Those are my orders general." Kinsey crossed his arms and gave the
general a look of finality.

***
Log entry by Commander Apollo...
"Fleeing from the Cylon Tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, has led
a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest...we have at last found the
shining planet known as EARTH!"

End of Part 2
By SG07

STARGATE SG-1 / Battlestar Galactica "The Thirteenth Colony" series will
be continued in the sequel: Part III - War Cry

TITLE: CHOICES (v1.8) 
SERIES: #1 in the "The Thirteenth Colony" series.
BEGAN: December 14, 2001 (Resumed writing April 2002)
REVISED: October 1, 2002
AUTHOR: SG07
CO-AUTHOR: N/A
E-MAIL: SG07@ATT.NET
CATEGORY: Crossover with the Battlestar Galactica universe
DISCLAIMER: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate
(II) Productions, SCI-FI Channel/Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret
Productions, and Gekko Productions. 

This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged
hands, nor will it ever be sold for any profit. No copyright infringement
is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the
property of the respective authors. All unrecognized characters and plot
lines are mine and copyright protection is reserved and claimed. Any
resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. 
     This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the
author.
     Battlestar Galactica is a trademark of Studio USA; and/or Universal
Studios, created by Glen A. Larson, and does not belong to me either. 

THE NOTICE FOLLOWING THE SUMMARY AND DEDICATION MUST ACCOMPANY THIS
STORY, IF DISTRIBUTED. 

SUMMARY: The Colonial Fleet has been traveling in space for twenty-five
yahrens, continuing their search for the lost Thirteenth Tribe. The fleet
has intercepted strange radio communications that are curiously in the
old Kobol language. Believing that the fleet is nearing their journey to
find Earth, Colonial Vipers from the Battlestar Galactica are sent out to
investigate a strange distortion wave.  
     SG-1 gate to another world where they discover a crashed alien space ship
and rescue its pilot. 
     The Cylons discover a new more powerful and deadly foe.
     With the arrival of the pilot, Earth discovers a long forgotten truth
that forever turns the tide of their war against the Goa'uld. Their
startling discovery will forever change everything they ever believed in
or hoped for.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  
I want to apologize too all those folks who have been waiting for me to
finish part 2. I had intended to have this part done and posted by early
February 2002, but due to events in my life and the world, I was so busy
in my personal life that I could barely see daylight for nearly a yahren,
uh, year. Sorry. I have decided to suck it up and finish part 2. For
those who emailed me: Thanks for asking about this story and your
encouragement. It really pained me everytime I turned around and realized
that months had passed since I last wrote but I just could not write
during that time.
     Feedback (Email) is the only method I can use to judge whether or
not people enjoy this story and would really like me to continue! So
please send comments and questions. I hope you truly enjoy Part 2 as much
as I had writing it.
     Stargate SG-1 and BSG are two of my favorite sci-fi shows. I have
others but both shows mean a lot too me for personal reasons. For as long
as I can remember, BSG has always been one of my favorite and after
reading for free on the internet so much fan fiction I wanted to revive
such an incredible story and give something back to all of those folks
that stayed up late writing great stories for people like me.
     Unlike Star Trek (classic), it was never revived (on television,
video, etc.) with the exception of the ill fated (and thank God it died!)
Galactica 1980, and to that end I wanted to see what would happen. Not
where they left off but a closer look at what would happen at the end of
their journey. 
     I believe this genre still has potential and I wanted to see it done
right. One day I was writing a BSG/Farscape crossover that was a dead end
as soon as the characters met. Go figure, my first story. Anyway, I just
sat at the computer staring at it and my thoughts drifted to yet another
BSG crossover and realized the same dead end would continue on every
crossover story I wrote unless the BSG and the other guys could have a
common crossover, a natural bridge, no spatial anomalies, no wormholes,
etc. My pet peeve I guess. 
     I found it! The common crossover could be done with BSG and SG-1 and
the story took life.
     To me BSG is more realistic than other sci-fi genre. Why? Reality,
for one. Rarely do modern sci-fi shows reveal the reality of air lifting
thousands of people with little or no preparedness or resources, fuel,
food, and danger haunting the edges of their existence. That means no
convenient solutions; (like transporters, the force, etc.) it's about as
close to real life as possible, in terms of what would really happen in
such a tragedy. I love other sci-fi genre's but BSG and SG-1 remain my
favorite to this day, as well as StarTrek (ALL versions), Star Wars and I
enjoy an occasional Babylon 5 or Farscape episode.
     SG-1 is a personal favorite also. It's a story about what would
probably happen and how we primitive humans would react if we could
suddenly explore the galaxy. Jack O'Neil (played by Richard Dean
Anderson, i.e. McGyver) does a great job. He's the hero (protagonist) and
the comic relief all roled up in one. All in all it's a great story and I
am so very glad another season is coming out!
     As I said earlier, I had intended to finish this story a heck of a
lot earlier but never had the time.  "Choices" was a challenge and a lot
of fun for me. As a fan and an author I am amazed even as I write at how
the story unfolds itself. I have mile markers that guide my conscious
thoughts but my sub-conscious thoughts really have written the story. I
had so much fun just seeing the characters evolve in the way they did.
     At first I thought choices would be a hole filler for the parts that
will follow and did not look as forward to writing it as I did to the
ones which will follow it. 
     I changed my mind very quickly. With the characters and the story
line I soon fell in love with this story and believe it truly fits in
well with where I am going in this series.
     In case folks are wondering I have endeavored to be as accurate as
possible in almost all areas of this story. BSG and SG-1 I know very well
and several things about the U.S. Air Force were written based on facts
about military procedure, squadrons, locations, and in keeping with the
highest traditions of the United States Air Force. Occasionally as is
proper in T.V. shows, a few minor details in this story are not entirely
100 percent accurate (i.e. U.S. Air Force) in order to be fictional. They
are minor things though. Yes, I know, but it was done on purpose because
its...fiction.
     Don't know how long it will take me to write the next Part (PART
III: War Cry), my life is very busy, but I will do my best. Could be
several months though because of my schedule and other considerations.
Can't help it and apologize in advance. But hey, this ain't my day job,
ya know.
     Thanks for taking time to read this story and please feel free to
email me! I love hearing from all of you! 

Best Wishes to all.
--SG07
email: sg07@att.net

SPECIAL THANKS: Special thanks to Eric Paddon who loaned me the use of
certain characters that enabled me to robust this story to an even higher
level. To Locutus, Patricia, Albert, Todd and Rhonda who helped me with
my beta versions and great pointers in Part 1 and 2 respectively. Thanks!
You folks are priceless. 

POSTED ON: http://www.sg1-heliopolis.de/archive/xover/
http://www.GalacticaFanFic.com/stories/bsgcross.html

Battlestar Galactica History and My opinion: 

NOTE: These notes are my personal commentary about several things I want
to share with the reader. It's just my opinion and in no way express the
thoughts or views of the owners/producers/actors or anything else in any
universe. Facts that were mentioned had been gathered by different
resources from the internet and t.v.
     BSG unfortunately was cancelled by ABC television in 1979 despite
that it was one of the TV Networks highest rated shows for prime time.
Apparently the greed of those in charge overtook its success because
after only one season the show was cancelled leaving people like me who
grew up watching reruns and hungry for more. 
     In the late seventies, production of the show cost about one million
U.S. dollars an episode, which when adjusting to a cost of today would be
an astronomical price for a television program. The "powers that be" only
cared about the bottom line. I believe profit is an acceptable result of
a business, but lets face it a top selling show like BSG and a top rated
one should not be cut simply because of the bottom line. 
     Regarding Galactica 1980, this show was brought up about a season
after the cancellation of the original series. I am not sure exactly on
the timeframe. Its origin came about when producers for whatever reasons
realized that they quite literally slashed their own throat with their
bare hands. Their cash cow died a crib death and it was their entire
fault and they knew it. 
     The original series could not continue because some of the shows
actors had new jobs. Thus Galactica:1980 was developed. In order to
continue making more money these buffoons cut the shows budget to almost
nothing and they also kept Glen Larson, the shows writer and producer
from having almost any say in the show. (Glen Larson was busy at that
time working on his next pet project: Buck Rogers in the 25th century).
The shows props such as a shuttle, etc. had been taken apart and
discarded. To further show the network producers folly they got a new
cast, poorly written scripts and to top it all off with a cherry on top,
these boneheads put the show in a T.V. slot that was a "family values"
time slot, which means the show in the early 80's had to be a family
values show and thus the "Super Scouts" concept came about. This was
where children were actively given colonial technology to beat up bullies
or embarrass them. It was very stupid and a lame show. The show was a
complete failure and will be thankfully forgotten by many.
     I find it frustrating to realize that all it took was common sense
and a lack of greed and the show would have gone the distance and made
them the money they craved. Probably would have gotten four or five
seasons from it and would have made tens of millions of dollars in the
merchandising department. All of this comes down to simple greed. I don't
mean to harp on this but it is a great show and I hate that hours of
great entertainment were lost for all time just because of a few jerks! 
     Probably why over twenty-five years later I began to write this
story. I want to right a wrong and provide some great entertainment for
those of us who appreciate this storyline. 
     For those who don't know Richard Hatch who played Apollo has tried
for years to develop a new series or a continuation of the original one
but was blocked at every turn. Then (recently) Brian Singer and Tom De
Santo (spelled right?) started in earnest developing and opening
pre-production offices for BSG and the same thing happened again. Except
Brian Singer who directed or produced (can't remember) X-Men movie got
the green light for X-Men 2 movie and dropped BSG like a brick. As soon
as he pulled out the BSG revival nearly died again. Sci-Fi channel is
about to begin or has begun developing a new series for it. A retelling
(I hear of the story). We'll see. I am not holding my breath, but Sci-fi
might have a better chance of it. Their not usually ready to cut their
cash cow simply to replace a top rated show with some dumb sitcom or two.
     Why is it that movie history repeats itself? You know the same thing
that ABC did to BSG happened in 1996 with another show. Have you heard of
or remember Space: Above and Beyond? Type that name in on a search engine
on the internet and tons of things will come up on it. It was Fox
networks number 1 rated show! And guess what? After one season a
boneheaded producer did the same thing as ABC back in 1979! It canceled
their highest rated show in order to put four sitcoms on the air that
died after only half a season. Guess what? Another network wanted to buy
the rights to SAAB but Fox said no way! Then after a year they (Fox)
tried to sell it and no one wanted it. Go figure.
     Weird and Dumb! I guess I am off my soap box about that. At least
Sci-fi channel bought the rights to Stargate SG-1 and are producing the
seventh and probably final season.

Again take care,
SG07