Battlestar Galactica meets Big E (Part I)
Any any case, here it is, "Galactica and Enterprise"
BTW- I did take a few literary freedom to make things fit, and I
totally ignored the series Galactica: 1980 (mostly BS in my opinion).
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"I tell ya, Apollo, this system can't fail..."
"Quiet, Starbuck," Apollo said, cutting off the chatter from his
dusty-haired wing mate about his latest gambling scheme. "I think
there's something entering the far side of this star system."
Instantly alert, Starbuck reset his scanners from a sensor sweep of
one of the planets in this system to long range scan so that his
sensors could complement Apollo's. At the very edge of the triangular
screen a small paint had appeared. "What do you make of it?" inquired
Starbuck.
"Don't know," muttered Apollo, fiddling with the settings on the
scanner in his own viper. "Too far away yet for a solid scanner lock.
But it must be a ship..."
"Basestar?" prompted Starbuck, dread filtering into his voice. If
the Cylons had managed to swing around in front of the fleet... But
already new readings were coming out of the scanner.
"No, it's much too small, not nearly enough mass for a Cylon base
ship," returned the dark-haired Apollo, relief evident in his voice.
"But who, then? It may not be a basestar, but it's still pretty
large. We haven't come across any civilizations with the technology
to build a vessel that size since we left the colonies..."
"Maybe we could swing in behind the fourth planet of this system,"
Starbuck put in quickly to cut off thought of their destroyed home
worlds. "We could get a better look and hopefully not be noticed."
"Good idea," admitted Apollo. "I'll send a dispatch back to the
fleet in case of..." This time he cut himself off, not wanting to say
that this ship might be hostile. With the Cylons on their trail, the
fleet had no need for any more enemies to deal with.
With the practice of countless long range patrols, the two
wing mates kicked in their turbos to bring their vipers in behind the
gas giant that was the fourth planet of this star system.
Worf stood at his control console like some repulsive gargoyle come
to life. Perhaps on any other ship, the presence of this Klingon
would have been oppressive. But on the bridge of the Enterprise, his
brooding presence went unnoticed... at least for the most part. Now
the Klingon's attention was riveted to the scanner readouts on his
console.
For a brief moment he had sworn that there had been an unusual
energy reading near the fourth planet of this star system. Any human
might have dismissed it as a momentary glitch in over-complicated
workings of the Enterprise's vast electronics systemry. But as a
Klingon, Worf's inherent paranoia was too great to allow that. He
worked at the sensors, trying to locate the origin of that energy
source.
If it were a ship, then it would be a grave point of personal
dishonor if he permitted it to escape his notice. So he worked to try
and indentify the source, as he would not report what might be an
errant fault in the system -- a ghost -- to Captain Picard. That too
would be dishonor.
Juggling this intricate Klingon honor, he even wanted to identify
that energy source as ship. Not only would it bring him honor, but it
might provide the opportunity for a battle, a chance to bring great
honor to not only himself, but to the Enterprise as well... Then he
smiled to himself, in the Klingon manner. Not outwardly, that would
be a sign of weakness, but inwardly as a person show of satisfaction.
"Captain," Worf barked in his typical dour voice, with no outward
display of his satisfaction present. "I am showing two small craft
hiding behind the fourth planet."
"On main viewer, Mr. Worf," Picard said, standing up, glad for the
distraction of Riker's and Troi's idle banter. The main viewer
shifted from the usual entrancing view of the warp-distorted stars to
a much magnified view of Theta Sigma IV. A huge gas giant
reminiscent of Jupiter, tough nearly twice the size, with an intricate
series of rings loomed in front of the bridge crew.
"My readings indicate what appear to be two small craft hiding in
the rings on the far side of the planet. They are scanning us with
low-intensity sensors," Worf elaborated.
"Can you identify them?" Picard inquired, turning to face the
Klingon Lieutenant.
"Negative, Sir," Worf admitted, trying to ignore the stab at his
honor. "It is only by their sensor probes that they are detectable.
The emissions are just apparent over the background radiation of the
planet. I can detect nothing beyond this."
"Hum. Mr. Data?" Picard prompted.
"I have the readings on those craft. They are too small for our
sensors to detect at this range while they remain hidden in the
planet's rings."
"How close will we pass by the fourth planet?"
"Since Theta Sigma IV is on the far side of the star system,"
reported Data, "it will be the last planet we map."
"So we cannot take a closer look at them without giving away to
them that we know they are there," Picard thought aloud. "Are there
any civilizations nearby that they could have come from?"
"This system _is_ on the outer edge of explored territory," Riker
pointed out. "They may be from a civilization that the Federation has
not yet contacted."
Knowing that the only planets orbiting Theta Sigma were two airless
rocks and three gas giants, Picard surmised, "They obviously have
interstellar capability, which would imply a highly developed
society."
"Perhaps they too are mapping this system," put in Data. "It is
possible that they are from an expanding society whose outer border is
only now coming into contact with that of the Federation."
"Possible," admitted Picard. "But then why have we not detected
any form of communication from this sector? If there were such a
society, we should surely have detected some sign of their existence
by now."
"Do we try to talk to them?" Riker queried.
"It might be wiser to permit them to make first contact. They may
just be sizing us up to make sure we are peaceful."
"They may also be probing our weaknesses in preparation for an
attack," mutter Worf darkly.
"Always the pessimist, Worf," quipped Deanna Troi.
"They obviously do not want us to know they are there, so we will
respect their privacy for now. We will keep will our mission and map
all of the planets in this system. Obviously when we reach the fourth
planet they will have had time to decide what they are going to do.
Mr. Worf, just keep an eye on those ships and let us know when they do
anything unusual," ordered Picard.
"Colonel Tigh, we are receiving a tight-beam transmission from
alpha patrol," reported bridge officer Omega.
The dark-skinned Colonel turned to look at the screen Omega
indicated. "What does it say?" asked Tigh even as he started to read
the brief message.
"They have encountered a ship of unknown origin in the star system
directly in front of us," reported Omega. "It does not appear to be a
Cylon ship, but they have no idea who it might be."
"Then you had better let Commander Adama know about this." Then,
when the thought occurred to him, Tigh asked of Omega, "Alpha patrol,
that is Apollo and Starbuck, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, at least they are the best we have. Hopefully they can take
care of this."
"Why do I get the feeling that they are playing with us?" muttered
Starbuck.
"I know what you mean, good buddy," returned Apollo.
As the two pilots had watched the starship mapping this system,
had agreed that they could certainly not fight it alone, nor could
they run the risk of leading it to the fleet by leaving their
position. That left only communication with this ship.
Watching they ship, they had located a number of powerful weapons
systems on it that could possible equal that of even a battlestar.
However, its thin, stream-lined construction would certainly not stand
up to the pounding of battle. This ship looked more like a luxury
liner that a warship.
"I wonder if they have gaming tables?" Starbuck asked idly.
"You never give it up, do you?" responded Apollo.
"No, I don't," Starbuck agreed in the same idle voice.
"If that is one of their luxury liners, then how powerful would of
their warships be?" Apollo thought aloud.
"Maybe powerful enough to wipe the Cylons out of the cosmos,"
considered Starbuck. Then, "I wonder what the odds are that that
ship is from Earth."
"Slim to none," answered Apollo, "considering how far we have come
without even a hint of the thirteenth tribe."
"But we are getting closer to the coordinates that we got from...
well, whoever they were." Starbuck had long since trying to figure
out who or what those beings had been, though trying to forget them
was another matter. "Those coordinates may not even be correct,"
pointed out Apollo.
"We'll never find out until we get there."
After awhile, Starbuck pondered, "Do we try to contact them now?"
"There's not much else we can do," admitted Apollo. "We've learned
about all we can just sitting here. Not to mention the strain the
radiation is having on our ships."
"Well, then, how do we do it?"
"Captain," reported Worf, "those two ships are moving out from
behind the fourth planet."
"Excellent. Are they hailing us?"
"Negative, Sir," responded Worf as he tracking the two incoming
vessels. "They are one-manned fighters, armed with charged energy
cannons. Their drive systems are of a highly unusual and unknown
type." Peering closer at the readout to make certain he read it
correctly, Worf added, "Sir, the pilots of those ships..."
"...they're Human, I tell you!" Starbuck crowed to his wing mate.
Examining the scanner readout now that they were closer to the
starship and free from the distorting effects of the radiation of the
fourth planet, Apollo found his sensors in complete agreement with
those in Starbuck's viper. "I don't believe it," he admitted. "Over
ninety percent of the crew is Human. Maybe we _have_ located the
thirteenth colony!"
"Human?" Picard echoed with a bit of surprise. "And in ships
completely unknown to the Federation? Is it possible that they are
smugglers? or perhaps a lost colony?"
On the main view screen, the two small craft speed though space,
sleek and vicious-looking. Worf's hand hovered near the arming
controls for the Enterprise's weapons systems and shield controls.
"This far out on the edge of Federation territory?" wondered Riker.
"We are only now beginning to map this area, let alone colonize it."
"Sir, those craft are hailing us," Worf reported.
Deanna hit a smile behind her hand as she felt the disappointment
and frustration from the Klingon.
"Open the frequency." Picard turned to the view screen, tugging at
his uniform.
"We have their signal, audio only."
Unperturbed, Picard looked at the ships on the screen, saying,
"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship
Enterprise."
Apollo adjusted the translator built into his comlink as it
replayed the message, that those on the ship might understand him.
Toggling on his comline, he responded, struggling a moment over the
unusual sounding name, "Greetings, Captain Picard. I am Captain
Apollo. I... I am in search of information relating to Humans, and
I..."
"What he's trying to say," cut in Starbuck eagerly, "is if you've
ever heard of a planet called Earth?"
"Starbuck, shut up! That's an order," Apollo shot back at his
wing mate, glaring out into space past his wing, where Starbuck's
viper was just visible in the distance.
"I fail to understand the reasoning behind you question, Captain,"
Picard said with some bewilderment. "Of course I have heard of Earth.
It is, after all, the planet of origin of humanity."
Apollo started to ask Picard the location of Earth, when the
meaning of Picard's exact words occurred to him. "What do you mean it
is the planet of origin of humanity? Surely you mean that it is the
second home of humanity?"
After a pause, Picard responded, "I believe that we are both
confused, Captain Apollo. What exactly do you mean by 'the second
home of humanity?'"
"Do you mean to say that you have never heard of Kobol?" Apollo
asked incredulously.
"I cannot say that I have. What is this 'Kobol?'"
Apollo closed off his end of the comline to the Enterprise,
switching over to an intership link with Starbuck's viper. "I don't
like this," he commented. "How could they have forgotten Kobol?"
"The thirteenth tribe was the last to leave Kobol," pointed out
Starbuck. "We never knew what happened to them in their journey to
Earth. It seems that they made it, but who knows what happened to
them en route?"
"Yes, I suppose that it might be possible that they forgot much of
the lore on their trip. But Picard said that Earth was the 'origin'
of humanity. Could they actually believe that humanity evolved on
Earth?"
"Why are you so down on this? If that ship is any indicator of
their power, we'll never have to worry about the Cylon Empire again,"
said Starbuck.
"If they remember nothing of Kobol, then how likely are they to
believe us when we tell them of Kobol?"
"Leave that to the Council and Adama. The point is that we've
_found_ them!"
"Yah, well, send a tight-band message back to the fleet, and make
sure that the Enterprise does not detect it."
Taking advantage of the sudden silence from the two fighters,
Picard had asked Data about these references to Kobol. Referencing
the ship's library computer from the Ops console, Data spoke without
turning from the pages of information flashing before his eyes, "I am
unable to find any references to any planet called 'Kobol,' nor any
other reference under that name."
"Why would they be trying to say that Earth is not the origin of
humanity?" Picard asked aloud of no one at all. "Were they lying,
Counselor?"
"I sensed no attempt at falsehood. However, they were extremely
surprised at your remark about Earth being humanity's planet of
origin. It is as though they know this to be false," Deanna surmised.
Before Picard could continue, Worf spoke up, saying, "I am picking
up a brief energy burst from the fighters. It appears to be a tight-
beam transmission to an unknown destination. Unable to intercept,
Sir... Sir, they have reopened communications."
Turning back to face the two fighters shown on the main screen,
Picard asked, "Captain Apollo, would you please explain what 'Kobol'
is?"
Warily, Apollo responded with, "I believe that had best be left to
others to attend to. For now we need to talk about Earth."
"Then perhaps you would care to come aboard the Enterprise that we
might talk personally."
After a moment, Apollo agreed, "That might indeed."
"Commander Adama, there is another message coming in from alpha
patrol," Omega said, turning to the gray-haired Commander.
As Adama walked over to the bridge officer's post, Omega exclaimed
excitedly, "Commander! The ship they have encountered is from Earth!"
Adama practically leaped over the remaining distance to Omega's
station in the stunned silence that fell over the bridge. Then a
sudden roar of elation broke loose from the dozens of crew on the
Galactica's massive bridge. Adama turned to congratulate Tigh, but
found his second-in-command staring intently at the screen before
Omega, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Adama, there is more to the message," Tigh spoke up over the din,
pointing to the last lines of the transmission, reading aloud: "`They
know nothing of Kobol. Will attempt to attain further information.
Will advise.'"
Starbuck tossed his helmet into the cockpit of his viper, muttering
something about landing in his locker as he looked around the
Enterprise's shuttle bay, which was positively puny next to the
Galactica's spacious landing bays. Dropping down from the side of his
viper, the roguish fighter pilot joined Apollo, who was moving over
towards where several of the Enterprise's crew stood. Some of them
were apparently security personnel, their hands hovering near their
weapons, eyeing the two pilots' more massive blasters.
"Wonder if they always run around in their underwear?" Starbuck
whispered to his friend, adding, "'Course it works on her," his eyes
roving over Counselor Troi's form.
"Try and behave yourself," Apollo cautioned him. "If they are of
the thirteenth tribe, we don't want your hormones scaring them off."
About this point, the bearded man who appeared to be the ranking
member of these humans (including the alien who looked like he had a
tortoise shell growing under his scalp) spoke up, having been
distracted a moment by the gleam in Troi's eyes as she returned
Starbuck's smile, saying, "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, gentlemen.
I am Commander Riker, First Officer."
"Commander Riker," acknowledged Apollo, recognizing that these
people obviously had a different rank system, "I'm Captain Apollo, and
this is Lieutenant Starbuck."
"This way, sirs," Riker motioned towards the exit. "The Captain
would like to speak with you personally." Riker gestured for Worf to
dismiss the security personnel, who were apparently unneeded once
again.
Along the brief trip to the main briefing room, Riker introduced
Troi and Worf to the pilots. In the briefing room they joined Picard
and Data, taking seats at the large conference table.
"Well, gentlemen, you seem to present us with an enigma," Picard
began. "What exactly did you mean by these comments of yours about
humanity not originally being from Earth?"
Apollo and Starbuck exchanged glances before Apollo inquired, "You
mean that you have no record of Kobol?"
After a glance of his own towards Picard, Data spoke up, admitting,
"I have accessed all available records of planets, and we have no
knowledge of any planet by the name of Kobol."
"Is Kobol a lost Earth colony?" Riker prompted.
Trying to watch the reactions of these humans, Apollo revealed,
"Kobol is not a colony. Earth is the colony world. Kobol is the home
world of all humanity."
This revelation did indeed spark a great deal of surprise amongst
the crew of the Enterprise. When a look from Troi told Picard that
the pilots were not lying, he said, "I find that very difficult to
believe that humanity did not originate on Earth. All of our
archaeological information conclusive says that humans _did_ evolve on
the planet Earth."
"Then your tribe has lost all records of the exodus from Kobol and
the other twelve tribes?" asked Apollo, finding that very difficult to
believe. They had not known what to expect of the thirteenth colony
when and if they would ever reach Earth, but to have completely lost
all knowledge of their past?
"We have said that we have no records of any world known as Kobol.
And as for Earth being a colony world, that goes against all known
information of Human evolution," Picard stated. "Why don't you tell
us about all of this?" he put forth, hoping that these men were not
lunatics, though Troi's look did not indicate this.
"Maybe we should leave this to Adama," Starbuck offered to Apollo,
before he could say anything. Apollo paused to consider that.
"Who is Adama?" Riker queried.
"The Commander of the fleet," responded Apollo.
"You have a war fleet out there," broke in Worf in he usual Klingon
suspicion of all strangers... and friends, also.
"A fleet, yes. Though I would hardly call it a war fleet,"
commented Starbuck.
With a melancholy sigh, Apollo began to speak: "Our fleet is the
last remaining remnant of humanity from the twelve colony worlds. Our
worlds were annihilated by the Cylon Empire. Only barely were we able
to escape. For the past several yarhens we have been trying to evade
the detection of the Cylons, who have marked humanity for extinction.
They will stop at nothing to destroy us. Earth was the last chance
that we had. Less than a chance even, since many believed Earth to be
little more than a myth passed from generation to generation.
"You see, our home world, Kobol, was dying, and the thirteen tribes
of humanity were forced to flee to another home. The first twelve
tribes were able to reach the colony worlds that were chosen as
humanity's new home. Unfortunately, the thirteenth and final tribe,
the last to flee Kobol, was lost in the voyage to the twelve colony
worlds. No trace was ever found of them. A myth spoke of a lush
world far from the colonies, a world called Earth. It was believed by
a few that the last tribe had made it to Earth. Since you admit that
you are from Earth, then it is obvious that your tribe, the
thirteenth, was able to reach Earth."
"An intriguing story," Picard considered, "but how is it that we
have no knowledge of this great exodus that you speak of."
Spreading his hands, Apollo admitted, "I cannot say. Perhaps my...
Perhaps Commander Adama would have an idea. He knows more of the
ancient lore of Kobol than any other in the fleet."
"Then perhaps we should go and meet this fleet of yours," suggested
Picard.
"That might not be wise yet," Apollo pointed out. "They do not yet
know if you are friendly." After a moment's pause for consideration,
knowing that these people did not yet believe him, he offered,
"Starbuck can go on ahead and speak with Adama, and I can then guide
you to the fleet once they know that you are not a threat."
Realizing that open faith would be best, Picard agreed, ordering
Worf to take Starbuck back to the shuttle bay.
"Assuming I can get my viper out of that storage locker you call a
landing bay," Starbuck commented darkly as they left the briefing
room.
Taking advantage for the break in the conversation, Worf axed, "Who
are these Cylons that you speak of?"
Apollo frowned, admitting, "We know little of them. Once we
settled on the twelve colony worlds, we began to trade with the local
races that we discovered. In time, we encountered the Cylon Empire.
At first we thought they would be good friends, but we quickly learned
that they did not view other races as equals, only inferior beings to
be subjugated and enslaved. When we tried to help one planet that
they were crushing under they unfeeling grip, they attacked us without
warning, destroying many of out ships and outposts. That was over a
thousand yarhens. The war has raged ever since. In all of that time,
we have learned so very little about them. All we really do know
about their beliefs is that they view us as a threat to their view of
the universe. They have no compassion for other races, and even
little for their own kind.
"Physically, they are somewhat amorphous lizards, able to alter
their appearance to a degree. Most of them -- and all of their
centurions, their warriors -- wear mechanized suits that incorporate
computers into their brains, further taking away from any feelings
that they might have." Leaning forward onto the table, frowning, he
added, "They kill without emotion, and give up their own lives with
equal ease. Only once did we make the mistake of trusting them...
The price of that mistake was the destruction of all of twelve of our
colony worlds."
Apollo broke off, unable to say anything further for the moment.
In the silence, a streak of light shot away from the Enterprise and
disappeared into the vastness of space in a fraction of an instant.
Worf then reported that Starbuck had departed in his fighter.
"Your say that this war has lasted more than one thousand
'yarhens,'" Data inquired. "Exactly what is the duration of one
yarhen?"
Apollo thought for a moment before saying, "I guess all of our time
scales have no meaning to you. I cannot think of any way to convert
centons or yarhens into whatever time units you might use."
"I see that you wear a time piece. If you could tell me what
conversion ratios exist between your time units, I could translate
them into our time units," offered Data.
Taking off the wrist piece, Apollo handed it to the gold-skinned
humanoid. "These are microns, and these centons," Apollo started,
listing off a couple more time units, along with conversion rates and
the number system.
"Ahh, good, a decimal system," Data said approvingly. Apollo had
expected Data to pull out a small computer or something. But instead,
he just stared at the watch for several seconds before handing it back
to Apollo and declaring, "One micron is approximately 4.32 seconds, so
one centon 7.2 minutes. One hundred centons would therefore be almost
exactly 12 hours, so one yarhen is approximately 500 standard days,
meaning that 1000 yarhens are roughly 1370 standard years, allowing
for the error of this time piece."
Apollo starred incredulously at Data as he proceeded to rattle off
the list of conversions. "How did you manage to do that?" Apollo
gaped.
"I am an android," Data replied by way of explanation.
Apollo almost physically jerked back into his seat.
Sensing the pilot's sudden jump of emotions, Troi asked with much
concern, "Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry. It's just a nervous reaction. Capricans -- and most
of the other eleven tribes -- detest robots, most especially those in
the shape of a Human. Almost certainly a result of a millennium of
war with the Cylons."
To this Data showed no outward signs of being hurt by Apollo's
words.
"Understandable," Picard agreed. "When shall we depart to meet
with your fleet?"
Considering, Apollo had to admit, "That all depends upon how fast
this ship can move."
Smiling, Riker proclaimed, "The Enterprise is one of the fastest
ships in Starfleet. It can almost reach Warp factor 10."
When the Commander obviously failed to consider that Apollo had no
idea what a Warp factor might be, Data added, "A Warp factor is taken
to the fifth power to determine a velocity greater than the speed of
light."
Somewhat surprised, Apollo asked, "You mean your ship is able to
travel at superluminal velocities?"
"No, the Enterprise never actually even approaches the speed of
light. We employ a warp field to distort space so that we travel
short distance in the warp field, while outside of the warp field we
are traversing a much greater distance in space."
"Ohh. Something along the lines of our own Maron drive," Apollo
acknowledged. "But you measure the rate of change of position outside
the field while we measure velocity inside of the field. That is what
threw me off."
"Then we should leave now?" Riker prompted.
"Since it sounds like you can at least keep pace with a viper, I
guess that we should."
"Then shall we adjourn to the bridge?" suggested Picard.
Leaning on the railing that encircled the upper level of the
bridge, Adama considered this baffling situation. Having listened to
Starbuck's report of his encounter with this starship Enterprise,
Adama was at a momentary loss for how the thirteenth tribe could have
lost all knowledge of Kobol.
However, the luxury of contemplating this question was not his.
There were still traces of Cylons pursuing the fleet, while the report
of encountering a ship from Earth had rapidly spread. Already most of
the fleet was hearing various rumors. Captains of various vessels of
the fleet were demanding answers from the Galactica, while the Council
of Twelve was attempting to overrun the bridge, believing it their
right to be the first to welcome the thirteenth tribe.
Adama's consideration of these and other problems was cut off when
Athena called out that she was picking up a ship at extreme sensor
range in front of the Galactica. This being an unusual switch from
the faint traces of Cylons tagging along far behind the fleet.
"How long until the Enterprise reaches the fleet?" Adama inquired.
"It is still twelve centons away at current speed."
"What do the sensor probes indicate about their technology?"
"At this range, little more than what we downloaded from Starbuck's
viper," Omega supplied. "Their main power source appears to be from
matter/anti-matter annihilation. They employ a variation spatial
dilation drive for propulsion." Furrowing his brow, Omega added, "It
would seem that they use an advanced matter fusion system for movement
in the region of spatial distortion. But it is nothing as powerful as
our own tylium thrusters. If fact, within the region of dilation,
their actual velocity does not even approach light speed."
"You mean that they use the field of warped space for their primary
mode of traversing space?" Tigh deduced rather incredulously. "What a
tremendous waste of energy."
"Your ships actually utilize chemical fuels for propulsion?" Riker
choked out. "But there is no way a simple chemical fuel could produce
sufficient energy to power a warp drive."
"You weren't at Carillon," muttered Apollo.
"Carillon?" questioned Data.
"One of many ambushes the Cylon's set for us. There was a large
tylium mine on Carillon -- the largest I have ever heard of. The mine
was caught on fire and exploded, totally obliterating the entire
planet. Tylium is the most powerful source of energy we have ever
encountered. The conversion of tylium into solium produces more than
adequate energy to approach light speed... Or in terms you would
understand: to generate a warp field in which our ships travel,
utilizing both the dilation of space and relativistic velocities,"
Apollo explained to the Enterprise's First Officer.
"We find that is it sufficient to simply utilize the warpage of
space for star travel," Data supplied.
"But then you would be wasting extra energy that way," Apollo
continued. For all they technology, how could these people be so
foolish? "The amount of energy required to increase actual velocity
is much smaller than that required to maintain the more continual
requirements of a greater ratio in the dilation of space."
"Sir," Worf interrupted. "We are now within visual range of the
fleet."
"On screen, Mr. Worf," Picard commanded.
On the main view screen, the silhouettes of the fleet appeared,
then grew visible as the computer enhanced the lighting of the image,
showing the magnificence of the battlestar Galactica, leading the
hundred plus assorted transport ships that housed the sole surviving
populace of the twelve colony worlds.
"I can see why you call them battlestars," Picard commented,
observing the sheer massiveness of the Galactica, with the numerous
weapon emplacements that dotted its surface, visible even at this
range.
"Sensors indicate that the Galactica is only slightly longer than
the Enterprise, yet outmasses us by approximately three times,"
reported Worf. "There are 120 ships in the 'fleet.' None have
significant weapon's capacity besides the Galactica."
"Thank you, Mr. Worf," Picard interrupted, before the Klingon
proceeded to rattle off the entire combat capability of the
battlestar. Looking over the 'fleet,' Picard asked, "Those vessels
actually were able to handle a voyage across more than half of the
galaxy?"
"Almost none of them were actually constructed for interstellar
travel," Apollo admitted. "We were forced to make due with what could
be salvaged during the devastation of the colonies. Even after the
initial Cylon assault, all too many of our people were forced to stay
behind because there was simply not enough room for them."
"Could none of them have been spared by you Cylons?" asked Riker.
"None. Every last one would have been slaughtered by the Cylons,"
Apollo replied, not allowing himself to think of the only exception to
that statement.
"It is indeed a miracle that you were able to make it this far,"
Picard thought aloud. "And you say that the Cylons have hounded you
all the way? But surely they would have been satisfied with
destroying your homeworlds."
"No," Apollo contradicted. "Their goal is the total extermination
of the Human race. To them, we are a threat to their Empire as long
as even one Human remains alive." Then, warningly, "They have
followed us this far, so it will be inevitable that they will learn of
your Federation. Discovering that there is another source of Human
civilization will cause them to attack you. You will have to prepare
your battle fleets. But considering the power of this ship, the
Cylons will not likely be able to stand against your warships."
"This _is_ a warship," barked out Worf.
Surprised, Apollo commented, "This looks more like a luxury liner
than a war ship."
"The Enterprise is the most powerful ship in Starfleet," Riker
informed the pilot.
"But surely there are other ships of equal power," Apollo
considered.
"Currently, the Enterprise is the only Galaxy class starship in
Starfleet. However, there must be another alternative than battle,"
Picard theorized. "Is there not a chance that the Cylons will accept
peace, now that your home worlds have been destroyed?"
"Haven't you been listening to me?" cried out Apollo in disbelief.
"The Cylons will stop at nothing less than the death of every last
Human. They have be trying to obliterate us for more than a
millennium. Why would they even consider it now?"
"But if they are confronted by the might of Starfleet, will they
not at least accept a treaty?" Riker proposed.
"If they did, it would only be to amass a fleet of basestars
powerful enough to destroy your Starfleet. No, we have tried for more
than a thousand yarhens for peace. I have already told you of the
result of that so called 'peace' they offered. Peace will only exist
when one of our races has been utterly destroyed. The Cylons have
made it painfully clear that that is the only solution that can
accept," Apollo finished dejectedly.
"We are approaching the fleet," Data informed them.
"Bring us around onto a parallel heading," Picard commanded Weasley
Crusher, who sat at the navigation console.
"We are being hailed by the Galactica," Worf reported.
"On screen, Mr. Worf," ordered Picard.
The blue clad form of Adama appeared on the main view screen,
larger than life, any trace of exhaustion having been erased by this
event, the near completion of a quest that had covered many yarhens
and more than half of the galaxy.
"You must be Commander Adama," Picard ventured by way of an
introduction. "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation
Starship Enterprise."
"Well met, Picard. I believe that there is much to discuss."
"I agree," agreed Picard. "We can beam you over to the Enterprise
so we can begin working on the future of your fleet immediately."
"'Beam over?'" Adama echoed hollowly. "I do not understand your
meaning."
"You do not have transporter technology?" Riker asked rather
amazedly. Life without beaming around in away teams was difficult for
the bored First Officer to contemplate.
"I take it you do not mean shuttle craft?"
"Your people have not developed matter teleportation?" Picard
clarified.
"You have matter transmission technology?" excitedly burst out an
elderly, white-haired, scientific-looking fellow from behind Adama.
Adama silenced Dr. Wilker with one hand, turning back to the
screen. "The ethical and theological implications of ripping someone
apart atom by atom and reassembling him were too great on the Twelve
Worlds. Such devices were considered evil by many of those in the
colonies, as such we never pursued the development of them," Adama
revealed. "It would be best if we were to use shuttle craft for the
time being."
"The shuttle bay of the Enterprise is rather small," pointed out
Apollo. "Starbuck should be the one who pilots the shuttle craft, if
anyone."
"Very good," Picard said. "Then we shall meet you in our shuttle
bay."
Adama stopped as soon as he stepped into the Galactica's behemoth
landing bay.
"I'm sorry, Sir," Boomer offered. "But I could not dissuade them."
His hand moved unconsciously towards his blaster. "As you can see
they thought to bring their own guards."
Moving towards where the Council of Twelve stood waiting to board
the readied shuttle, Adama stated flatly, "Your assistance in this
matter is unnecessary."
"We will accompany you," spoke up one of the Council members. "It
is our duty to welcome the descendants the thirteenth tribe."
"I believe that you are one of the more outspoken on the Council
who maintained that Earth was nothing more than a myth, Sire
Montrose," Adama pointed out. "In any case, as I am the President of
the Council of Twelve, I am the one with the responsibility to attend
to these affairs. Our assistance is not required."
"Surely you will agree that this not the time to bring up the
question of who is in power, is it Adama?" Montrose asked oily,
gesturing vaguely towards the dark-uniformed Council guardsmen.
"I do not need this," Adama sighed to himself. Then to Starbuck
and Boomer, he said quietly, "Have a second shuttle readied
immediately."
To the Council members and guardsmen, Adama said wearily, "Very
well, then, board the shuttle."
At this, the Council moved onto the shuttle, chattering amongst
themselves like excited children. Following them, Adama hit a button
on the door control panel, sealing the door. To several other viper
pilots, Adama said blandly, "See to it that they do not get off of
this shuttle until I am away."
Smiling at the Commander's ruse, the jumped to comply. Adama moved
off towards the second shuttle that Boomer and Starbuck were powering
up.
Picard and company watched as the blocky Galactican shuttle craft
lumbered its way into the Enterprise's shuttle bay, dwarfing the
Enterprise's shuttles and even Apollo's viper, which had all been
moved to provide sufficient room for the much larger shuttle.
Soon, Adama descended the shuttle's ramp, moving to greet the
Captain of the Enterprise. However, he was interrupted in mid-step
when the Enterprise's red-alert klaxons started sounding.
Just then, Starbuck leapt out of the shuttle, calling out,
"Commander! Tigh's calling on the comlink. There is a massive Cylon
task force closing on the fleet!"
[to be continued... maybe]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So, any ideas on how such a battle sould be fought? Will Adama seize
control of the Enterprise's bridge (much to Worf's enthusiasm)? Will
Picard wet his uniform? Is the Enterprisse to be blasted to bits by
the Cylon task force? Will the Ferengi finally sell Picard a spine?
Or will Super-Picard return to lead the Enterprise into the heart of
the Cylon capitol to single-handedly duke it out with the Cylon Imperious
Leader?
All to be revealing the next installment, or not, depending on whether
I have the time for part 2, and whether enough people like (or loath ;-)
this story.
Now, if you will excuse me, I do believe I should go invest in an
asbestos flak suit.
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