Stumbling Towards the Dawn - Part 8
Title: Stumbling Towards the Dawn - Part 8
Word Count: 2,744
Rating: M
Disclaimer: Not mine ... just playing.
Spoilers: To LDYB Part II - Everything is definitely AU from the moment the Cylons flew over.
Summary: When Cloud Nine is destroyed, it attracted the attention of not only the Cylons.
Author's Note: This is a crossover fic, with David Weber's Mutineer's Moon - Fifth Imperium universe, but I don't think that you need to know the universe of this trilogy of novels to get it. Hopefully, it's explained well enough in the story.
“Hey there, Bill,” Saul said, his eyes incredibly tired. “I should have listened to my gut and never set foot on this ball of mud.”
“Saul,” Adama said hoarsely. “It’s good to see you.” Another familiar face came into the pick-up range just behind Tigh. “Kara,” he whispered.
“Hello sir,” she said with a wide smile. “Am I ever relieved to see you--hi Lee.”
“Hi Starbuck,” Lee said and Adama could hear the relief in his voice. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Apollo,” she said.
“We’re forgetting our manners here,” Tigh said. “Admiral Adama, allow me to introduce Fleet Captain Princess Isis Harriet MacIntyre and she is a genuine princess, Old Man. Apparently, her father is the ruler of the Empire of Man, which includes Earth, a capital planet called Birhat and dozens other worlds. Anyway, we’ve got to close this channel now, so that we don’t risk any stray power signatures, they tell me. We’re all safely aboard the Imperial Marines’ assault craft and we’re training on their weapons to get ready for the fight.”
“So hurry up and get back here, Admiral,” Starbuck ordered impishly.
“Will do, Starbuck,” William replied in relief as the channel closed.
“Actually, it’s only thirty-two populated worlds so far,” the princess said in a melodious voice, bringing his attention back to her.
“Your Highness,” Adama said, trying frantically to remember what the proper address for a princess would be.
“Please, Admiral Adama,” she laughed. “I’m just Harry or Harriet if you prefer--Captain MacIntyre if you want to get formal. My brother, Sean, is the heir to the throne and I’d just as soon keep it that way. A crown would get in the way of my vac-helmet, don’t you think?” she quipped.
Adama chuckled. “Understood, Captain MacIntyre,” he replied. “On behalf of my people, thank you for coming to our aid so quickly.”
“Admiral Adama,” she said bluntly. “If I hadn’t been such a cautious puss in the first place, I would have contacted you the day I entered the New Caprica system and together we could have blown the Cylons out of the sky the moment they showed up. Now it’s going to be a copper-plated bitch to keep those crazy machines from nuking the planet from orbit while we get rid of the Cylons on the surface, and not to mention it’s going to be even harder extracting the prisoners from the Cylon ships. Of course, if we’d just blown the Cylons up on arrival, we would have blown their human prisoners away also.”
Before Adama could respond to this extraordinary statement, she continued briskly. “I know that it’s going to sound like I’m dictating to you--”
Adama laughed ruefully and glanced at Dualla. “Believe me, Captain MacIntyre,” he said, “I’ve been taking orders all my adult life and taking them from junior officers is not a new experience for me--especially when they’re right. Besides,” he chuckled as he cut to the chase, “you’re the one with the ships the size of small planets and--unless I miss my guess--the really big guns. As long as we get our people out safely, that’s all that matters to me.”
Her eyes were wide with respect and she bowed courteously to him. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “In that case, we’ll need to get Galactica and Pegasus in shape to jump back here in seventy-four hours if this is to be a total surprise to the Cylons.”
“Why seventy-four hours?” Lee asked.
“Because that’s when War Hammer and Enterprise will leave hyper and insert into normal space as far in-system as they dare,” she replied. “And there’s no way we can cover that up. You see, Admiral, Commander, our ships have two very different faster than light drive systems; an Enchanach drive, which would take too long to explain, and a hyper drive, which is similar to your jump drives, except that we spend real time in hyperspace, whereas your ships jump almost instantaneously through hyperspace from one part of normal space to another.”
Adama and his people stared at her in shock. “You spend time in hyperspace?” he said incredulously.
“Yes,” MacIntyre replied, “and once in hyperspace, a ship must stay there until it reaches the designated, programmed destination. There's no way to change direction. That is why our ships will be here in seventy-four hours. That's also why I sent Carol and Azuka after you when you jumped away from New Caprica. Admiral, it would take my ship, Herdan, two days at flat-out maximum velocity to even get to you, and three and a half days at our normal cruising velocity.”
“Oh my living Gods,” Lee whispered.
“As I said, Commander,” she continued, “dealing with the Cylons will be a copper-plated bitch. However, we are fairly sure that we can destroy their capital ships’ before they can jump out, but that doesn’t help much if we want to rescue the POWs. Frankly, we have no operational doctrine to fight people with such capabilities--you do, Admiral. And if they are truly intent on wiping you Colonials out, I doubt they will make the distinction between Colonial humans and Imperial humans once they become aware of us. Even this far from our boarders is too close and we’ve had our own homicidal machine consciousnesses to deal with.”
“You created sentient artificial intelligences also?” Adama said in shock.
She shook her head. “Not us, Admiral Adama, but a xenophobic and genocidal alien species called the Achuultani did. However, their artificial intelligences turned on them, made them slaves to the machine and according to our best estimates, have drawn and quartered this galaxy for the last seventy million years, trying to wipe out all forms of organic, sentient life that wasn’t Achuultani. If it wasn’t for another artificial intelligence called Dahak, created thousands of years ago and charged with safeguarding the human species, Earth would be a cinder today.”
The silent shock permeating the room was oppressive.
“But that’s a very long and painful story for when we have more time, sir,” she said and he nodded dumbly. “Needless to say, we fought them and won, but we only won a six hundred year reprieve--so Earth and the Fifth Imperium may not be as safe as you think.”
“It’s safe enough from where I’m standing, Captain,” Adama said at last.
“Understood,” she replied. “But that war fifty years ago is why we won’t be taking you to Earth, but directly to the Imperium’s capital planet of Birhat in the Bia system. Earth was pretty devastated from the Achuultani kinetic bombardments and is only just now recovering from the mini ice age that was a direct result of it. Frankly, they have enough to deal with regarding our own fractious cultures, without throwing your entire culture at them.”
“And if you thought our various languages were bad,” Azuka Riddick said, “just know that each major language on Earth is associated with at least three or four separate and disparate cultures, polities and--not to mention--religions that were all in perpetual war with each other off and on, sometimes for hundreds of years; often beyond the capacity of anyone to remember why they were fighting.”
“In any case,” MacIntyre continued. “Anyone who was going to move off Earth did so long ago, but approximately four billion people still call it home. Therefore, I have been authorised by my father, Emperor Colin MacIntyre the First, to let you know that once we reach Birhat, if your people choose to become citizens of the Imperium, but continue as an independent polity within it, you will have your choice of planets that are ready for colonisation as well as the requisite seats in the Imperial Government and the House of Nobles. He has also pledged the industrial infrastructure necessary to get your new world up and running within the next ten to fifteen standard years.”
Adama was stunned speechless.
“Just like that?” Lee said incredulously.
“There are perks to being Emperor, Commander,” she quipped. “There’s nothing better for cutting through bullshit and bureaucracy. However, we’re not as altruistic as you may think and you have something we need desperately--especially if the Cylons find the Imperium. I’ll be blunt, we need to know what you can teach us and we need to start retrofitting and building ships with your type of hyperspace drives as soon as possible. Quite frankly, Admiral Adama … Commander Adama, you won your new world on the strength of Galactica and Pegasus’ drives alone. That you’re obviously an advanced human culture--cousins from across the stars--is all the more reason to offer you entrance into the Imperium. And despite whatever cultural or philosophical differences may crop up between our peoples in the future, we are safer together than apart.”
“Still,” Adama said hoarsely. “It’s more than we ever expected. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome, Admiral Adama,” she replied smiling. “Now back to business. As we understand from Colonel Tigh, most of your personnel were on the surface when the Cylons showed up. Therefore, Carol and Azuka have detailed teams of specialists and technicians to provide support services--free up your people to man the critical areas of your ships. We know that your fighter squads are undermanned, but it will take our people too long to get comfortable with your fighters, so we’ll co-ordinate our squadrons with those squads you can put in space. Herdan and Indomitable together have over three thousand fighters.” Adama heard the younger officers’ involuntary gasps; only his experience and training kept him from doing the same. “And War Hammer and Enterprise will add another three thousand.
“We’ll need you, Captain Agathon and you, Lieutenant Katraine, to co-ordinate with the commanders of our fighters, Major Diana Ingram and Major David Fugikawa, and bring them up to speed on your operational doctrine for engaging Cylon fighter craft.” Katraine and Agathon both nodded; Adama could see the stunned looks on their faces as MacIntyre continued, “We’ll need to install fold-space communicators in your pilots’ briefing room and aboard your birds. You obviously won’t have time to fly together, but it will give you a chance to get acquainted with the principals of each squadron. In fact, Major Ingram has suggested that depending on how many experienced pilots you have, each could take command a squadron of our fighters.”
Agathon and Katraine looked at each other. “Understood, sir,” Agathon replied. “We’ll need to know all their capabilities, but it should be doable.”
“Excellent,” MacIntyre said, “then Ingram and Fugikawa will be in contact shortly. As for Galactica and Pegasus, we have teams ready to start immediately on any repairs the ships will need once you give the word. As well, both Vengeance and Fleur-de-Lys’ machine shops have been producing railgun ordinances of the type our scans of your ships indicated you needed,” she said eyes twinkling as Adama mouth fell open again. “We’ve also taken the liberty of enhancing them with bomb-pumped laser warheads to make them a bit more, ah … effective--”
There was a sudden commotion of shouts and voices outside Adama’s quarters. Adama looked at Lee and he strode quickly to the hatch. As he opened it, Zarek’s voice was unmistakeable over the din.
“Adama! What in the name of Hades is going on here?” he demanded over Lee’s shoulder. “Why haven’t we jumped the people out of here to safety?”
Adama shook his head tiredly and met Harriet MacIntyre’s eyes; he’d hoped to get everything settled with the Imperials before having to deal with Zarek and his bunch. Again, he wished Laura was there--she could always put Zarek in his place.
MacIntyre met his gaze with a wolfish grin and gave him a devilish wink. “Let him in, Admiral,” she said in a low voice. “I can handle your Mr. Vice President.”
Adama’s eyes widened in shock and no little admiration; these people had really done their homework. He wondered now how long they’d been observing the fleet at New Caprica, but watching her eyes harden, he decided that it really didn’t matter. She was on his side and he was forever grateful.
“Let him through, Lee,” he said. Zarek swept into the room radiating fury and self-righteousness.
“Who are these people, Adama?” he demanded. “Where did they come from?”
“We are officers in the Imperial Navy of His Imperial Highness, Emperor Colin MacIntyre the First, Mr. Zarek,” Harriet MacIntyre said imperiously and Adama had to swallow his sudden urge to laugh. “I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Isis Harriet MacIntyre, Duchess of Birhat, Bearer of the Solar Grand Cross and Defender of the Imperium and Mother Earth.” Zarek’s sharp gasp at the word Earth was loud in the suddenly silent room. “I have been solemnly enjoined by my father to make contact with Admiral Adama and offer our assistance in rescuing the people of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol from the Cylons. And that is just what my captains and I were doing when we were so rudely interrupted!”
“I’m sorry, your--Your Majesty,” Zarek said back-pedaling furiously as he regarded Harriet MacIntyre’s image. His shrewd eyes moved from the communicator to the other Imperials in the room. He turned angrily to Adama. “But I was not told that we’d made contact with people from the Thirteenth Colony. Adama, as the duly appointed Vice President and Interim President of our people, I should have been consulted.”
“It was a need to know basis, Zarek,” Adama said in a lazy drawl as he played along. “And frankly, our Imperial friends deemed that you did not need to know.”
At that Zarek’s florid face looked ready to burst a vein.
“I was instructed to make contact with the Colonial Military leaders,” the Imperial Princess said, “not members of a government that would first force their populace down onto a ball of mud with false promises and even falser assurances of safety, while they stayed where it was warm and dry and safe. I do not speak to government members who then try to force the military to abandon those people at the first sign of trouble!” she said ruthlessly and Zarek paled visibly. “And I do not speak to people--who through the basest manipulation of the media--would put a man like Baltar in a position of ultimate power for their own self-aggrandisement and just to stick it to a woman who had done nothing but try to do what was best for her people and keep them out of the clutches of people like you, Mr. Zarek.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zarek said heatedly. “And you certainly don’t know me!”
She laughed contemptuously. “Know you?” she sneered. “I’ve had men like you trying to kill me practically since the day I was born, Mr. Zarek. You’ll take the role of kingmaker when it suits you, but what you really fancy being is king, because you know what’s fucking best for everyone! People are nothing but cardboard cut-outs to men like you. At best, they’re pawns in a strategy game to be sacrificed at your convenience. Well congratulations, Mr. Zarek, because your President Baltar, the ultimate traitor to the Colonial people and Cylon collaborator you put in power, has just sacrificed the most powerful playing piece on that miserable game board you call New Caprica!”
Zarek stared at Harriet MacIntyre's image in utter confusion. “What are you babbling on about, woman?” he demanded.
“Laura Roslin, Mr. Zarek,” MacIntyre said coldly. Adama's eyes snapped to the Imperial woman's face and a terrible suspicion began to dawn as she continued. “Baltar has apparently been in league with the Cylons since the destruction of your colonies. He gave them access to your defence networks and now he's given them Laura Roslin to dissect because she carries the hybrid Cylon’s blood.”
William Adama’s heart seized in his chest and he gaped at the Imperial princess in absolute horror.
Oh merciful Gods, no! his soul screamed out to the void. Laura!
As his world went black, he saw his own horror mirrored on Harriet MacIntyre’s face as she realised who he was and what she’d done to him with her words.
He heard her anguished “Admiral!” and Lee’s terrified voice screaming for Dualla to get his pills. Someone called for a medic and then he heard nothing at all.
Part 9
Word Count: 2,744
Rating: M
Disclaimer: Not mine ... just playing.
Spoilers: To LDYB Part II - Everything is definitely AU from the moment the Cylons flew over.
Summary: When Cloud Nine is destroyed, it attracted the attention of not only the Cylons.
Author's Note: This is a crossover fic, with David Weber's Mutineer's Moon - Fifth Imperium universe, but I don't think that you need to know the universe of this trilogy of novels to get it. Hopefully, it's explained well enough in the story.
“Hey there, Bill,” Saul said, his eyes incredibly tired. “I should have listened to my gut and never set foot on this ball of mud.”
“Saul,” Adama said hoarsely. “It’s good to see you.” Another familiar face came into the pick-up range just behind Tigh. “Kara,” he whispered.
“Hello sir,” she said with a wide smile. “Am I ever relieved to see you--hi Lee.”
“Hi Starbuck,” Lee said and Adama could hear the relief in his voice. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Apollo,” she said.
“We’re forgetting our manners here,” Tigh said. “Admiral Adama, allow me to introduce Fleet Captain Princess Isis Harriet MacIntyre and she is a genuine princess, Old Man. Apparently, her father is the ruler of the Empire of Man, which includes Earth, a capital planet called Birhat and dozens other worlds. Anyway, we’ve got to close this channel now, so that we don’t risk any stray power signatures, they tell me. We’re all safely aboard the Imperial Marines’ assault craft and we’re training on their weapons to get ready for the fight.”
“So hurry up and get back here, Admiral,” Starbuck ordered impishly.
“Will do, Starbuck,” William replied in relief as the channel closed.
“Actually, it’s only thirty-two populated worlds so far,” the princess said in a melodious voice, bringing his attention back to her.
“Your Highness,” Adama said, trying frantically to remember what the proper address for a princess would be.
“Please, Admiral Adama,” she laughed. “I’m just Harry or Harriet if you prefer--Captain MacIntyre if you want to get formal. My brother, Sean, is the heir to the throne and I’d just as soon keep it that way. A crown would get in the way of my vac-helmet, don’t you think?” she quipped.
Adama chuckled. “Understood, Captain MacIntyre,” he replied. “On behalf of my people, thank you for coming to our aid so quickly.”
“Admiral Adama,” she said bluntly. “If I hadn’t been such a cautious puss in the first place, I would have contacted you the day I entered the New Caprica system and together we could have blown the Cylons out of the sky the moment they showed up. Now it’s going to be a copper-plated bitch to keep those crazy machines from nuking the planet from orbit while we get rid of the Cylons on the surface, and not to mention it’s going to be even harder extracting the prisoners from the Cylon ships. Of course, if we’d just blown the Cylons up on arrival, we would have blown their human prisoners away also.”
Before Adama could respond to this extraordinary statement, she continued briskly. “I know that it’s going to sound like I’m dictating to you--”
Adama laughed ruefully and glanced at Dualla. “Believe me, Captain MacIntyre,” he said, “I’ve been taking orders all my adult life and taking them from junior officers is not a new experience for me--especially when they’re right. Besides,” he chuckled as he cut to the chase, “you’re the one with the ships the size of small planets and--unless I miss my guess--the really big guns. As long as we get our people out safely, that’s all that matters to me.”
Her eyes were wide with respect and she bowed courteously to him. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “In that case, we’ll need to get Galactica and Pegasus in shape to jump back here in seventy-four hours if this is to be a total surprise to the Cylons.”
“Why seventy-four hours?” Lee asked.
“Because that’s when War Hammer and Enterprise will leave hyper and insert into normal space as far in-system as they dare,” she replied. “And there’s no way we can cover that up. You see, Admiral, Commander, our ships have two very different faster than light drive systems; an Enchanach drive, which would take too long to explain, and a hyper drive, which is similar to your jump drives, except that we spend real time in hyperspace, whereas your ships jump almost instantaneously through hyperspace from one part of normal space to another.”
Adama and his people stared at her in shock. “You spend time in hyperspace?” he said incredulously.
“Yes,” MacIntyre replied, “and once in hyperspace, a ship must stay there until it reaches the designated, programmed destination. There's no way to change direction. That is why our ships will be here in seventy-four hours. That's also why I sent Carol and Azuka after you when you jumped away from New Caprica. Admiral, it would take my ship, Herdan, two days at flat-out maximum velocity to even get to you, and three and a half days at our normal cruising velocity.”
“Oh my living Gods,” Lee whispered.
“As I said, Commander,” she continued, “dealing with the Cylons will be a copper-plated bitch. However, we are fairly sure that we can destroy their capital ships’ before they can jump out, but that doesn’t help much if we want to rescue the POWs. Frankly, we have no operational doctrine to fight people with such capabilities--you do, Admiral. And if they are truly intent on wiping you Colonials out, I doubt they will make the distinction between Colonial humans and Imperial humans once they become aware of us. Even this far from our boarders is too close and we’ve had our own homicidal machine consciousnesses to deal with.”
“You created sentient artificial intelligences also?” Adama said in shock.
She shook her head. “Not us, Admiral Adama, but a xenophobic and genocidal alien species called the Achuultani did. However, their artificial intelligences turned on them, made them slaves to the machine and according to our best estimates, have drawn and quartered this galaxy for the last seventy million years, trying to wipe out all forms of organic, sentient life that wasn’t Achuultani. If it wasn’t for another artificial intelligence called Dahak, created thousands of years ago and charged with safeguarding the human species, Earth would be a cinder today.”
The silent shock permeating the room was oppressive.
“But that’s a very long and painful story for when we have more time, sir,” she said and he nodded dumbly. “Needless to say, we fought them and won, but we only won a six hundred year reprieve--so Earth and the Fifth Imperium may not be as safe as you think.”
“It’s safe enough from where I’m standing, Captain,” Adama said at last.
“Understood,” she replied. “But that war fifty years ago is why we won’t be taking you to Earth, but directly to the Imperium’s capital planet of Birhat in the Bia system. Earth was pretty devastated from the Achuultani kinetic bombardments and is only just now recovering from the mini ice age that was a direct result of it. Frankly, they have enough to deal with regarding our own fractious cultures, without throwing your entire culture at them.”
“And if you thought our various languages were bad,” Azuka Riddick said, “just know that each major language on Earth is associated with at least three or four separate and disparate cultures, polities and--not to mention--religions that were all in perpetual war with each other off and on, sometimes for hundreds of years; often beyond the capacity of anyone to remember why they were fighting.”
“In any case,” MacIntyre continued. “Anyone who was going to move off Earth did so long ago, but approximately four billion people still call it home. Therefore, I have been authorised by my father, Emperor Colin MacIntyre the First, to let you know that once we reach Birhat, if your people choose to become citizens of the Imperium, but continue as an independent polity within it, you will have your choice of planets that are ready for colonisation as well as the requisite seats in the Imperial Government and the House of Nobles. He has also pledged the industrial infrastructure necessary to get your new world up and running within the next ten to fifteen standard years.”
Adama was stunned speechless.
“Just like that?” Lee said incredulously.
“There are perks to being Emperor, Commander,” she quipped. “There’s nothing better for cutting through bullshit and bureaucracy. However, we’re not as altruistic as you may think and you have something we need desperately--especially if the Cylons find the Imperium. I’ll be blunt, we need to know what you can teach us and we need to start retrofitting and building ships with your type of hyperspace drives as soon as possible. Quite frankly, Admiral Adama … Commander Adama, you won your new world on the strength of Galactica and Pegasus’ drives alone. That you’re obviously an advanced human culture--cousins from across the stars--is all the more reason to offer you entrance into the Imperium. And despite whatever cultural or philosophical differences may crop up between our peoples in the future, we are safer together than apart.”
“Still,” Adama said hoarsely. “It’s more than we ever expected. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome, Admiral Adama,” she replied smiling. “Now back to business. As we understand from Colonel Tigh, most of your personnel were on the surface when the Cylons showed up. Therefore, Carol and Azuka have detailed teams of specialists and technicians to provide support services--free up your people to man the critical areas of your ships. We know that your fighter squads are undermanned, but it will take our people too long to get comfortable with your fighters, so we’ll co-ordinate our squadrons with those squads you can put in space. Herdan and Indomitable together have over three thousand fighters.” Adama heard the younger officers’ involuntary gasps; only his experience and training kept him from doing the same. “And War Hammer and Enterprise will add another three thousand.
“We’ll need you, Captain Agathon and you, Lieutenant Katraine, to co-ordinate with the commanders of our fighters, Major Diana Ingram and Major David Fugikawa, and bring them up to speed on your operational doctrine for engaging Cylon fighter craft.” Katraine and Agathon both nodded; Adama could see the stunned looks on their faces as MacIntyre continued, “We’ll need to install fold-space communicators in your pilots’ briefing room and aboard your birds. You obviously won’t have time to fly together, but it will give you a chance to get acquainted with the principals of each squadron. In fact, Major Ingram has suggested that depending on how many experienced pilots you have, each could take command a squadron of our fighters.”
Agathon and Katraine looked at each other. “Understood, sir,” Agathon replied. “We’ll need to know all their capabilities, but it should be doable.”
“Excellent,” MacIntyre said, “then Ingram and Fugikawa will be in contact shortly. As for Galactica and Pegasus, we have teams ready to start immediately on any repairs the ships will need once you give the word. As well, both Vengeance and Fleur-de-Lys’ machine shops have been producing railgun ordinances of the type our scans of your ships indicated you needed,” she said eyes twinkling as Adama mouth fell open again. “We’ve also taken the liberty of enhancing them with bomb-pumped laser warheads to make them a bit more, ah … effective--”
There was a sudden commotion of shouts and voices outside Adama’s quarters. Adama looked at Lee and he strode quickly to the hatch. As he opened it, Zarek’s voice was unmistakeable over the din.
“Adama! What in the name of Hades is going on here?” he demanded over Lee’s shoulder. “Why haven’t we jumped the people out of here to safety?”
Adama shook his head tiredly and met Harriet MacIntyre’s eyes; he’d hoped to get everything settled with the Imperials before having to deal with Zarek and his bunch. Again, he wished Laura was there--she could always put Zarek in his place.
MacIntyre met his gaze with a wolfish grin and gave him a devilish wink. “Let him in, Admiral,” she said in a low voice. “I can handle your Mr. Vice President.”
Adama’s eyes widened in shock and no little admiration; these people had really done their homework. He wondered now how long they’d been observing the fleet at New Caprica, but watching her eyes harden, he decided that it really didn’t matter. She was on his side and he was forever grateful.
“Let him through, Lee,” he said. Zarek swept into the room radiating fury and self-righteousness.
“Who are these people, Adama?” he demanded. “Where did they come from?”
“We are officers in the Imperial Navy of His Imperial Highness, Emperor Colin MacIntyre the First, Mr. Zarek,” Harriet MacIntyre said imperiously and Adama had to swallow his sudden urge to laugh. “I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Isis Harriet MacIntyre, Duchess of Birhat, Bearer of the Solar Grand Cross and Defender of the Imperium and Mother Earth.” Zarek’s sharp gasp at the word Earth was loud in the suddenly silent room. “I have been solemnly enjoined by my father to make contact with Admiral Adama and offer our assistance in rescuing the people of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol from the Cylons. And that is just what my captains and I were doing when we were so rudely interrupted!”
“I’m sorry, your--Your Majesty,” Zarek said back-pedaling furiously as he regarded Harriet MacIntyre’s image. His shrewd eyes moved from the communicator to the other Imperials in the room. He turned angrily to Adama. “But I was not told that we’d made contact with people from the Thirteenth Colony. Adama, as the duly appointed Vice President and Interim President of our people, I should have been consulted.”
“It was a need to know basis, Zarek,” Adama said in a lazy drawl as he played along. “And frankly, our Imperial friends deemed that you did not need to know.”
At that Zarek’s florid face looked ready to burst a vein.
“I was instructed to make contact with the Colonial Military leaders,” the Imperial Princess said, “not members of a government that would first force their populace down onto a ball of mud with false promises and even falser assurances of safety, while they stayed where it was warm and dry and safe. I do not speak to government members who then try to force the military to abandon those people at the first sign of trouble!” she said ruthlessly and Zarek paled visibly. “And I do not speak to people--who through the basest manipulation of the media--would put a man like Baltar in a position of ultimate power for their own self-aggrandisement and just to stick it to a woman who had done nothing but try to do what was best for her people and keep them out of the clutches of people like you, Mr. Zarek.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zarek said heatedly. “And you certainly don’t know me!”
She laughed contemptuously. “Know you?” she sneered. “I’ve had men like you trying to kill me practically since the day I was born, Mr. Zarek. You’ll take the role of kingmaker when it suits you, but what you really fancy being is king, because you know what’s fucking best for everyone! People are nothing but cardboard cut-outs to men like you. At best, they’re pawns in a strategy game to be sacrificed at your convenience. Well congratulations, Mr. Zarek, because your President Baltar, the ultimate traitor to the Colonial people and Cylon collaborator you put in power, has just sacrificed the most powerful playing piece on that miserable game board you call New Caprica!”
Zarek stared at Harriet MacIntyre's image in utter confusion. “What are you babbling on about, woman?” he demanded.
“Laura Roslin, Mr. Zarek,” MacIntyre said coldly. Adama's eyes snapped to the Imperial woman's face and a terrible suspicion began to dawn as she continued. “Baltar has apparently been in league with the Cylons since the destruction of your colonies. He gave them access to your defence networks and now he's given them Laura Roslin to dissect because she carries the hybrid Cylon’s blood.”
William Adama’s heart seized in his chest and he gaped at the Imperial princess in absolute horror.
Oh merciful Gods, no! his soul screamed out to the void. Laura!
As his world went black, he saw his own horror mirrored on Harriet MacIntyre’s face as she realised who he was and what she’d done to him with her words.
He heard her anguished “Admiral!” and Lee’s terrified voice screaming for Dualla to get his pills. Someone called for a medic and then he heard nothing at all.
Part 9