Gate
AN: A reminder of what the Saderan Empire actually is and presented from their perception of normal. Also Anabasis begins. The Cavils muse on the situation. And a surprise.
Chapter 5
Emperor Molt Sol Augustus shared a drink with King Duran of Elbe, King Alvares of Alguna, and King Mattias of Mudwan. Queen Medusa of the Medusae, stuck to her tea, daintily sipping it beneath her red face veil as she curled her lower snakelike body close to the fire. Around them, attendants put away the left over venison from the stags the kings and emperor had hunted earlier. Queen Medusa’s two young daughters curled up close to her, dressed in miniature to her, minus her large bust and were enjoying apple slices. Two blue veiled hand maidens were close by, ready to serve their mistress. Her Prime Minister stood as tall as his snake body would let him nearby as well.
“I must thank you your majesties for hosting me. You did not have to go out of your way to hunt the stags for me and my daughters or slice apples by your own hands.” Queen Medusa of the Desert Kingdom of Sezzah, which completely controlled the trade of frankincense, myrrh, and hawayij, thanked them. The clear high quality rubies of her and her daughter’s jewelry showed off her immense wealth which included owning 30% of the Ruby Trade and all it the highest quality ones as well, and her handmaids showed her control of 75% of the Sapphire Trade. Hence the Rondel Mage’s Guild setting this all up to secure high quality gems needed for their research.
“It was an honor to hunt for you, your majesty. Besides I enjoy hunting, and these woods have always been our favored hunting grounds since our youth.” Emperor Molt spoke up for the Imperial Party.
“Indeed and I always enjoyed cooking,” King Mattias added as he sliced more apples for the young princesses, leaving out the real topic of this gathering per prior agreement. The Sezzah Kingdom was difficult to negotiate with as it was and all attempts to force their vassalage had failed.
“Prime Minister Serekan, leave us please.” Queen Medusa motioned to her Prime Minister who left. A sign the negotiations were successful. If not she would have retired and let her Prime Minister say no.
Princesses Calia and Laina slithered up to them with their empty plates that their apple slices had been on and without needing to ask, King Mattias gave them more apple slices eliciting their smiles that were visible behind their veils.
“I will ensure the Rondel Mage Guild’s new guild house in my Capital will have no problems setting up. In exchange for sharing the knowledge gained they may research the gems.” Queen Medusa made her pronouncement.
“Your generosity is greatly appreciated your Majesty.” Emperor Molt spoke for the delegation as he turned his head towards the sound of a messenger horse riding up with Sir Grey and Lady Shandy. “Excuse me your majesty. I must take this message,” Emperor Molt announced as he stood up while the Queen nodded.
“My Emperor, report from the Alnus Army.” Sir Grey announced.
“My daughter is not in command of that army, so I am interested to hear why you are delivering a report instead of hawking?” Emperor Molt asked.
“The expedition was a failure and walked into a massive vessel that sails the void. The owners of the vessels, the 12 Colonies of Kobol were subsequently attacked by a race of metallic golems wielding weapons that have to be seen to be believed. The Colonials have lost the bulk of their fleets and many of their worlds are under siege or overran. The Princess and Apostle Rory have thus ordered the Alnus Army to support the 12 Colonies and take in refugees at Alnus.” Sir Grey summarized the situation.
Emperor Molt betrayed no reaction to the news and turned to Shandy. “Lady Shandy, where is my daughter?”
Shandy smiled upon being addressed, “She is currently traveling with the Crown Prince of Virgon. She is so lucky, when Galactica got attacked; he personally kept her from getting hurt.”
“A prince and heir to a Kingdom you say?” Emperor Molt asked for clarification as he stroked his beard.
Shandy not realizing how she was presenting the information was influencing how the Emperor was interpreting it, continued, “Yes and still unmarried…”
“Thank you Lady Shandy. Sir Grey travel at once to the Capital and inform the Speaker that I will be calling the Senate to session.” Turning to his vassal lords, Emperor Molt gave his next set of instructions, “Return to your lands tomorrow and summon your banners and march on Alnus, King Duran take command of all forces till I get there. Markus, parchment and my privy seal.”
“Hmm, this sounds interesting,” Queen Medusa mused as she rose up and slithered forward. “It has been centuries since a Gate opened at Alnus, if it would be no trouble, I would desire to accompany you and see this turn of events for myself.”
Molt smiled at the snake queen. “It would be an honor to have you along. I shall ensure you have the hospitality of Sadera till we depart.”
……………………………..
“Admiral on Deck!” Sergeant Major Lukas announced as Admiral Adama entered Pegasus CIC with Beefeater Katy, Archmage Lukas, and Lieutenant Gaeta with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist.
The Pegasus CIC officers not performing actual work came to attention and Colonel Belzen and Fisk saluted.
Returning their salute, Adama announced, “As you were.”
The lower ranks returned to their duties while Belzen and Fisk stood at the DRADIS station.
“Commander Belzen, you’re out of Uniform.” Admiral Adama spoke as he pinned the new rank on Belzen and then handed the Colonel pins to Fisk, “Colonel Fisk, you’re out of Uniform, get those on.”
“Thank you sir,” Belzen spoke for the both of them as he shook the Admiral’s hand.
“Commander Belzen, you will be glad to learn that your wife and daughters are safe in the Varten Arcology. As soon as we clear the orbitals, we can get them to Earth for shelter.”
“Thank you Admiral. As you came aboard, General Howards reported the Arrow of Apollo has been recovered and is enroute to Earth to keep it out of the hands of the Cylons.” Belzen reported.
“Excellent, it is vital that the Cylons never learn the location of Earth. Mr. Gaeta has the only hard copy of Earth’s location handcuffed to him and anyone accept me or the President attempts to open it, a thermite charge will destroy its contents.” Adama briefed his officers.
“This arrow is best preserved at Rondel Academy of Magic, there my colleagues can place it under the strongest of wards and our patron gods can place a death hex on it so anyone they don’t approve of will die even touching it.” Archmage Lukas spoke up.
Adama raised an eyebrow, but nodded his head, “Send instructions that it be so to Commander Tigh aboard Galactica.”
Mr. Hoshi walked up, “Sirs, Helios Delta and Gamma have fallen, all organized resistance collapsed. Daidalos Fleet has safely jumped to Virgon. Helios Beta is clear of Cylons. Helios Alpha, Cylons have retreated and are massing at Zeus.”
“Give the evacuation orders to all Helios Alpha commands, regroup at Virgon. All commands are to dust off contingency plans for Anabasis, Anabasis Contingency to be activated solely upon the discretion of the President.” Adama ordered. “Commander Belzen, set course for the barycenter of Gemenon and Caprica, anyone who can’t be lifted in 12 hours will be left behind. Divert Imperial Troops to Virgon.” Adama ordered, it was clear now his plan to counter-attack was out.
……………………….
Princess Pina admired the Virgonian Court Dress in the mirror as the maid, who dressed her in the corset undergarment and the dress itself, left. The dress in question was a gift from the Crown Prince who had become Reagent due to the King needing to run the Colonial Government. And quite the gift it was. Starting below her breasts was a line of 4 rubies, each of clear quality and the size of a fist. Each alone could have paid for an entire legion to be raised and fully equipped and sustained for 5 years or buy the loyalty of the entire Rondel Mages Guild. And there were more high quality rubies of a size more suited to rings worked into the dress. If she were to go home in this, father would order her knightly order disbanded and marry her off to the Crown Prince in a heartbeat as this dress alone with the jewelry she was gifted for this ceremony with the Virgonian Nobility, would enable Sadera to add 10 more legions to its Army or pay the salaries of its current 30 Legions for 30 years.
What the Princess didn’t realize, that being a star faring civilization, the Colonials considered gemstones useless and even a slum dweller could have afforded this dress and jewelry if she wanted to be encumbered. They simply chose a random rock in space and started mining or used a plasma chamber and chemical processes to make gemstones for cosmetic and industrial purposes. But mostly industrial purposes.
“Your Highness, how can we keep the Order going once the Emperor sees the Crown Prince’s gift to you and us?” Hamilton asked for the others as they came around her in less flashy gem covered gowns, but still demonstrating wealth to buy legions. The pearls on Hamilton’s outfit alone would purchase a legion.
“We always knew the Emperor was only humoring us by letting me form the Order. It was always going to end once it came time for him to secure alliances. So girls, pick a mark, the future of the Empire depends on joining forces with the Kingdom of Virgon. We can’t stop my father from doing what he must do, but we can at least ensure somewhat that we go with someone tolerable.”
“My Ladies, its time,” the chief maid announced as she came in.
Straightening, Pina moved forward, “Fall in.”
Exiting the room given to her and her fellow knights, they came across Norma who was sporting his normal regalia that the Virgonian Royal Armorer was able to put together on such short notice via what he called a 3D Printer. Helo, or Lieutenant Karl Agathon as he was known out of his flight suit, stood in his Dress Greys next to Norma. From there they staged at a curtain leading to a grand staircase.
“Your attention my lords and ladies, and honored guests. I present to you his Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Reagent Andrew Hadrian III and his most honored guest the Princess Pina Colada of the Saderan Empire of Earth. May the Lords of Kobol look upon them with mercy and with love. May our patron lord Hestia extend her protection to the Princess and her party. Gods save the King.”
Heeding the cue from the majordomo as the crowd chanted “Gods save the King,” Pina walked past the curtain towards Andrew and offered her hand to him to be kissed before turning to face the gathered Virgonian Nobility. The musicians played the Virgonian Royal March as Prince Andrew helped her down the steps. The prince himself cut a gallant figure in ornate and jeweled in-laid armor with a lion pelt draped over it, and a diadem.
Upon reaching the bottom, the Prince addressed the nobles. “Thank you for coming. Never in our recorded history has Humanity faced a darker day. We grew complacent after the 1st Cylon War, we let our guard down, and the Cylons ever watchful saw their chance. Now Humanity faces extinction, and it is only by the grace of the Lords of Kobol that the Thirteenth Tribe of Man accidentally re-established contact with us aboard the Galactica, the first Battlestar to be built to fight the Cylons. Their arrival caused a false alarm that scrambled reserve units and the Air Force to deploy which bought time to enable millions to escape. But the situation is dire and Operation Anabasis must be implemented. My father has tasked me to oversee the evacuation of all who can be saved and their transport to Earth or in the grand caravan that will be formed. I yield now to the Princess Pina of Earth and the Saderan Empire.”
Pina took a moment to wonder why the Colonials kept referring to them as the 13th Tribe or her world as Earth, then remembered that Alnus and the Gate had been around for a long time as Hardy used it on a whim. Mayhap the Colonials had cultural memories of the first arrivals at Alnus? Dismissing the thought, the Princess improvised her speech to gain the best deal she could for the Empire.
“I wish to thank you and your Prince for the hospitality you have shown me and my court in these dark days. For 687 years the Saderan Empire has stood strong, a shining beacon of civilization blessed by the gods and their living apostles. Our first Emperor was blessed to be taught by the Immortal and Twice Born Centaur, Chiron son of Cronus, Teacher of Heroes, and Keeper of the Lore of the 12 Missing Brothers of Man.” The Princess noted the shocked looks upon the gathered nobles’ faces and filed it away for further inquiry later and continued.
“It was through Chiron’s teachings that Romulus formed the Empire. Our armies restored peace to the fractured human realms, tamed, civilized, and contained the beastmen, medusae, fay, ogres, orcs, elves, and wyverns. All were our ancient enemies, and all were tamed and bowed to Humanity, even the centaurs and mermen have made common cause. For centuries, Chiron has called humanity a fractured people missing 12 brothers. Now by chance we have reunited with our lost brothers and sisters since arriving on our world by the grace of the Goddess Hardy who in her inscrutable wisdom heeded our petition to open the Gate after centuries of denying us. Therefore by divine will, the Empire is here to aid you in your darkest hour against the mechanical golems that have rebelled against you. What aide we can give will be granted. The Gods and Apostles of my world are witnesses to my word.”
Apostle Rory, unscripted, took that as her cue to appear behind them with her aura fully deployed and washing over the crowd.
“Hiya. I am Rory, Apostle of Emroy and witness to the Princess’ oath. You’re in good hands.” Rory struck one her cute Sentai poses in her outfit the Virgonian Royal Family made at her request.
Thus where Saderan Tailors would have faltered, the Virgonian Tailors had successfully added black wings to her dress that deepened her aura and amplified its effect. All gained a full sense of her power to deal death and mercy in equal measure.
Formal opening done, Pina let the Prince escort her amongst the Virgonian Nobility while Pina’s girls and Norma worked their own section of the crowd. Rory did whatever she wanted to do. How the Admiral was able to brush her off and resist her aura, she had no ideal, but everyone else had a clear sense of do not mess with her.
“My Prince, we still have 60,000 STLs scattered throughout the colonies with over 2,000,000 people aboard. We need to rescue them.” One elderly noblewoman, the Viscountess of Neure, spoke to the prince.
“Viscountess Marianne, due to the military situation, we can’t save them all, and due to time constraints, not all can be retrofitted. Already we had the outer Colonies outside Cyrannus evacuated, 6 had already been hit and annihilated. The best we can do is route whoever we can through Galactica to Sadera and draw the Cylons away from Earth.”
“Princess, your world is clearly less advanced than ours, can you even feed the extra mouths till we can get your farms mechanized and institute mass cloning of livestock to make up for the sheer numbers of refugees?” Viscount Karl of Neure asked.
“How many refugees are we looking at? Planting has just started in Sadera and our depots hold enough grain and dried foods for 180 million people for 5 years.” Pina inquired.
The Viscount shook his head, “There are 4 and a half billion souls on Virgon, 20 million on Hibernia, and 2 and a half billion on Leonis, plus the minor planets, moons, and stations, we’re adding another 1 billion. Either way we do this, we’re leaving billions behind. I have served my Viscounty for 40 years after returning home from the Cylon War after Operation Raptor Talon. I will not abandon my Viscounty till its last Citizen has made their escape.”
The prince laid his hand on the Viscount while Pina blanched at the sheer scale of the Colonials’ predicament.
“I can respect a noble who will stand with their people rather than flee,” Rory announced herself as she came up and took the Viscount’s hands. “Know that Emroy watches over you, though his influence is faint in these lands, it’s still there. In his hands you shall not be found wanting.”
“Praise the Lords of Kobol for uniting us with the 13th Tribe.” The Viscount hugged the Apostle who returned it.
Again the mention of Kobol and Lords, which they used interchangeably with Gods, Pina was sure there was more context to it, but she had not the time to parse it while arranging for the evacuations of Refugees. Sadly, the Viscount was a rarity, many nobles were a little obvious and too blatant in pushing for evacuation of themselves and their household goods, but the Prince was not having it. Children, 3D printers, cadres to modernize the Saderan Army, and technical personnel had priority. Nobles would have to wait and could only flee on their private yachts with whatever they could carry or stay and die with Virgon. Till the priorities were through, they had to caravan with the Colonial Fleet till they got a pass to use the Gate. As it was many of the Children being evacuated would effectively become orphans.
“My Lord Prince, the Dictator of Leonis has arrived demanding an audience with you, the Princess Pina Co Lada, and the Lady Rory Mercury.” A herald announced before bowing.
The Crown Prince Reagent of Virgon stood tall, “My greatsword! Let the Dictator approach.”
A page brought forth a large sword of expensive and rare steel, a metal the Empire could not make in mass quantities and which the Dwarves jealously maintained their monopoly on its mass production along with reflective glass and aluminum. Upon taking it, the Prince placed the tip on the ground and offered Pina his left hand which she took and moved to his left side. It was clear the Prince was playing power politics, but Pina was confident in her decision to be a part of it.
Then Pina saw the Dictator holding a Black Iron Rod and trembled. If there was one relic that was both the most revered and feared in Sadera, it was the Black Iron Rod. Housed deep within the Senate, only blind men, bounded by the most terrible oaths to Deldort were allowed to handle it and only females such as herself were allowed to see it. She still remembered hearing the tales of the old maids about the Black Iron Rod. For whichever man, whole and eyes to see the world, should hold it, to him was granted absolute power to rule by decree and put anyone to death without trial. The Senate alone could bestow it to a man, and only by unanimous vote. Only three men were ever given dictatorial powers and invested with the Black Iron Rod, all of whom thankfully, gave it up when the crisis had passed. To actually see Leonis’ Senate had the exact same rod frightened her; for this one man had been given more power than even her father wielded. Her father may be many things, but he was no dictator and could not rule by decree or execute anyone without a trial.
The Prince tapped the tip of his sword on the ground and the double doors were slammed shut in the Dictator’s face. Pina looked at the Prince in confusion before there was a loud bang at the door drawing her attention back to the door as a second loud bang was heard. A final third bang was sounded as the Prince in a display of strength, raised his large sword with tip pointed up. With this, the doors were opened as the Prince made his political point.
The Dictator of Leonis entered with 24 Lictors whose Fasces carried axes. Her father, the Emperor was only allowed 12 and they could not carry the axes in their Fasces when in the inner city.
Rory came up alongside them and placed the pommel of her halberd down, her Aura in full force.
“So it is true, the gods have returned in a fashion to the realms of men.” The Dictator bowed to Rory Mercury.
Rory for her part walked up to the Dictator and placed her left hand on his cheek. “Dictator of Leonis, will you flee your world before its last child is able to escape?”
“Till the last citizen has fled Leonis to safety, I will not abandon my world. This I swear before the Lords of Kobol. If the Cylons want my world, it will be over my dead body. I will leave Leonis an irradiated waste land before one meter of its sacred soil is defiled by the Cylons. I still remember the desperate fighting in Calas, every boy 12 and up was pressed into the fight, and I was one of the 12 year olds. I saw those things spare not even nursing babes. Leonis is prepared for a long siege; all our ancient defenses remain intact and have been activated. We can resist a siege for a time. All I ask is that when the time comes, you will come back to either relieve us or avenge us.”
“I believe you,” Rory acknowledged as she inclined her head. “Deldort, lord of covenants, has heard your oath. May you not be found wanting Nigel Valenzuela, Senator of Calas and Lower Bastern, and Dictator of Leonis. May the spirit of your great ancestor Heracles be with you.”
Rising up, the Dictator turned towards the prince and her, saluted them with the Black Iron Rod, and left without further fanfare.
……………………….
Legatus Armandus Longinus watched as Mairan was re-collared and re-branded a slave. The silly rabbit had thought that just because then Commander Adama had turned her loose, she could just come back to his camp in Imperial Territory and have freedom to visit her fellow rabbit Buran and not be returned to slavery 4 days after he had gifted her away. As she was branded on her mound just above her jade gate where concubines were branded, she realized as far as Imperial Law was concerned, she was returned property. If she had stayed with the Colonials she would have been under their law and their problem. But apparently the other side of the Gate was too scary for her in her own words.
“Sir, a General Doreen Callahan of the Colonial Army wishes to speak with you. I had Buran serve her refreshments till you got back to your tent.” Lictor Zacharias announced.
Armandus raised an eyebrow, sure the Emperor indulged his daughter’s knightly order, but all understood that it was just a way for her and her friends to meet suitors and let them at least hold off an assassin long enough for a man to help them. Colonials must be mad to put a woman in charge of an Army. “I see, I will be there soon. Let her know I will be there shortly.”
Zacharias saluted and left. Tossing the blacksmith a coin, Armandus gave his instructions, “Chain her to the rack for freshly branded slaves till the pain stops. I have a guest and don’t want her subjected to a screaming slave. Send her to my tent after dark. Orion on me”
“Yes Legatus.” Lictor Orion replied as he fell in line with him.
Satisfied, Armandus walked out and watched another landing of a Colonial Raptor of the type that had caught up with him enroute to the capital with orders from the Princess. The Gate had resulted in many strange things happening of late. Looking to his left, he spied the red-haired Colonial broad calling herself Nancy Harding of the Leonis Daily Gossip being followed by her servant holding that weird thing on his shoulders with the strange whip she talk to. She had accosted him this morning while speaking with a Colonel Mackron, asking him, Armandus, for security related information and expecting him to just blurt it out. Now she was talking to a trio of Colonial girls, indicated by the blue wristbands the Colonials placed on all their children this morning, and the trio of young rabbit slavegirls as they were being bathed by the adult rabbit slavegirl owned by one of the contract traders. Said trader’s sons and friends were currently engaged in a strange Colonial Ballgame with some Colonial Boys whose rules he would have to ask about later.
“I don’t understand these reporters, they ask us about operational details, and think we will answer, and the Colonial Military tolerates them? And they are so easily distracted and distracting; several accosted my Medusa slave Euryale for an hour with questions. She practically ran and hid behind me when I came looking for her.” Lictor Orion spoke for the both of them.
“Colonel Mackron would love nothing more than to kick them out, but his hands are tied by press freedom laws in the colonies. Apparently the Colonials prefer their spies to be blatantly in the open or something.” Armandus mused.
A Colonial Officer in a working uniform with hat saluted them as they walked past, prompting Armandus to return the courtesy. In a moment they were at the tent and Lictor Callahan opened the tent flap, prompting Lictor Zacharias to rise along with the Colonial General, a middle age woman whose brown hair was starting to go grey and sported a long scar from her forehead to her right cheek. Instantly, Armandus had respect for her, any other woman would have veiled her face or used heavy cosmetics to hide such a sword scar, but she wore it openly alongside the Colonial equivalents of Phalerae, Torcs, Armillae, and Laurels.
“Ah, Legatus Pro Praetore Armandus Longinus, I am General Doreen Callahan of the Colonial Army’s Expeditionary Forces. My life story will have to wait, I have things to go over with you,” General Callahan offered her hand like a man’s to be shaken, and not to be kissed. Not that he would as it was mechanical in nature.
Grasping her hand, he was surprised at the strength of her grip; the Colonial’s understanding of mechanics was certainly greater than the Empire’s. “Very well, have a seat and let us discuss the situation.”
Taking his usual seat, Armandus took his goblet of posca from Buran, a drink he actually liked and had taken a liking to in his early military career while besieged in Locati. Doreen pulled out some papers from the secured cases he’d seen Colonial Officers carry.
“As of last report, all Colonial Forces, able to do so, have completely regrouped in Helios Beta. Colonial Fleet now consists of the Daidalos Mobile Shipyard, 2 Mars-class Mobile Shipyards, 4 Mercury Class Battlestars, 7 Jupiter-class Battlestars, 3 Minerva Class Battlestars, 3 Artemis Class Battlestars, 6 Valkyrie Class Battlestars, 9 Atlas Carriers, 5 Heracles Class Gunships, 7 Minotaur Class Gunships, 23 Janus Class Heavy Cruisers, 60 Ranger Class Cruisers, 39 Adamant Class Frigates, 47 Bezerk Class Assault Carriers, and 17 Manticore Class Corvettes. Armed Auxiliaries of various classes total 267 vessels of which 40 are the important Loki-class Heavy Tenders needed to rapidly resupply escort ships with ammunition and repair and even build up to Mk II shuttles. Armed Civilian FTL ships total another 2,679 vessels. Lastly unarmed merchant fleet capable of FTL jumps totals 29,046 vessels of various classes. Due to the military conditions, contingency plan Anabasis has been shaken off and the Colonial Government established on Daidalos Mobile Shipyard. In 12 hours the Quorum will meet to determine whether to execute Anabasis. If done so, Colonial Fleet will gather all the FTL ships into a grand caravan with as many civilians as they can fit and jump away from Earth to draw the Cylons off till this world can build its own fleet. We will also be shuffling all civilian ships that can fit through the gate to here. As it is absolutely vital that the Cylons never discover this world, if circumstances warrant it, the gate will be destroyed on our end. In light of these events, my orders are to swear fealty to the Saderan Empire with my command and assist you in modernizing and becoming a star empire that Gods willing; will liberate our Homeworlds and create a new star spanning Human Civilization. These papers once signed, will bring the Colonial Expeditionary Forces operating on Earth, under the command of Emperor Molt Sol Augustus and this land will be solely Imperial Territory pending further diplomatic agreements.”
Doreen slid him the papers. Keeping a stoic expression, Legatus Armandus read the papers thoroughly, noting the King of Virgon’s signature as President, 12 other Quorum Members, the Princess’ signature, Rory’s signature as witness, Doreen’s, and a spot for his signature. Taking the offered Colonial type pen with ink already in it, Armandus signed the orders, bringing Doreen’s Expeditionary Forces under his command before handing it to her and then signing his copy to give to the Emperor.
General Doreen held out her mechanical hand to Armandus who again shook it. “Well Legatus, would you like to come to your new Command Post? We got a lot better eye of the area from there and you can communicate better with all units…” General Doreen stared as Euryale entered with fresh water and handed it to Buran. “Okay, next there will be Centaurs,” Doreen spoke.
“Centaurs are currently north of the Rapido, they don’t normally come south unless King Chiron son of Cronus, Immortal and Twice Born, Teacher of Heroes, and Keeper of the Lore of the 12 Lost Brothers of Man plus a slew of other titles too numerous to list, decides to take a human pupil or render aid when most needed and least expected." Armandus informed her.
Doreen visibly was taken aback and raised her eyebrows, but did not inquire further as she stood up. “Shall we make use of my Command Post?”
“Certainly, that being said, we can’t keep cramming children into the camp. Many are by the situation orphans, effectively. Better they are sent out with the contractors to be housed with their families away from this camp. I say the boys can be sent to the Academies or Apprenticeships and the girls split amongst the contractors. Those still with their parents and regular civilians should be housed outside the main military camp, especially those pesky reporters.”
“I will have my staff work on it.” Doreen responded.
“My staff will handle the Orphans. You get the kids with families and the reporters in a separate camp. Also the barcode system you been using on the children to track them, I need you make one for the slavegirls, so we can also track them. In fact I want you to begin IDing all my soldiers like yours are.”
“Very well sir, I can have my team get it setup, though is that your best uniform for the picture ID system we used? You want a good picture and we’ll get you a framed one for your home.” General Doreen pointed to Armandus’ general work uniform.
……………………………….
Cami giggled as she helped her schoolmates Sherry and Holly, plus Jaylee and her daughters Naila, Alia, and Eria grind corn. Sister Karen was talking to a Colonial Officer, a Saderan Soldier, and Jaylee’s master while they worked. Overhead, more Colonial ships arrived.
Due to a lack of clothes, she, Sherry, and Holly went naked like Jaylee and her daughters while their clothes were washed and Sister Karen tried to arrange more clothes. Sister Karen still said it wasn’t safe yet to go back to Caprica and Cami’s grandmother wasn’t able to come. Sister Karen seemed tense lately. Their 4 other girl classmates had been taken away earlier on a cart by some Saderan and Colonial Soldiers bearing papers to transfer them to a part of the Camp set aside for families of Colonial Military Personnel as their parents had been on active duty in Metris for training and had been evacuated. The boys had been drafted to help out with animal care.
“Sherry, you think Perry will pull off another blind throw?” Cami asked her friend, referring to their schoolmate whose blind throw behind him won the pyramid game against Jaylee’s master’s sons.
“No way, if Fortuna hadn’t made him her pet, he would have missed and Gaius, Martellus, and Caius would have gained a draw.” Sherry responded.
“What happens if there is a draw? Eria asked.
“Then there is a draw and that is that.” Holly piped up.
Jaylee’s master, Kalus, approached with the Saderan Soldier while the Colonial Officer led a protesting Sister Karen away to a Hummer, “Jaylee, as soon as you are done turning the corn flour over to the Quartermaster, gather your girls and these girls and meet me at the tent of blacksmith Moreas, we will be leaving tonight to the depot at Nantes.”
As he said this, the Saderan Officer began attaching tags to Jaylee’s and her daughters’ collars which he then scanned.
“Yes master, but, we’re taking Cami, Sherry, and Holly?”
“Yes and no further questions, just do it.” Kalus commanded before leaving.
“Okay girls, brush the flour into the baskets and let’s get it to the quartermaster.” Jaylee announced.
Cami picked up the basket she had been using and brushed the flour she had made into it, “Jaylee, what is Nantes Depot?”
“It is an Imperial Outpost 2 days travel from here where Master Kalus maintains his main shop and the Imperial Army stores grain.” Jaylee answered.
“There is also the tulip garden there as well that everyone can enter all year round thanks to Mistress Jenna of the Rondel Mages Guild.” Alia added.
“Alright, we got the flour gathered girls? Good, let’s go.”
Cami followed Jaylee to a line of other girls like her, most naked, and with the exception of Cami, Sherry, and Holly, wore iron collars on their necks with iron bracelets and anklets. In front of them was one of the Medusas they had seen around, her snake like hair writhing around as she talked to a cat eared girl.
Out of curiosity, Cami reached out her hand to touch one of the snakes only for Jaylee to intercept her hand.
“Now, now, it’s not polite to stroke a Medusa’s hair without her permission.”
Chastened, Cami desisted.
After several minutes they reached the front where a Saderan Soldier and his assistants took their flour.
From there it was a short walk to the blacksmith tent where Kalus’ sons were helping to load 3 of the 4 carts there with swords and spears. Saderan Soldiers nearby burned shields and discarded armor and helmets for Colonial Armor and Weapons. But more importantly:
“Father says to lead the Colonial Girls inside Jaylee. Naila, Alia, and Eria, get in your cart.” Gaius informed them as he continued to load weapons alongside his brothers.
Nodding her head, Jaylee herded Cami, Sherry, and Holly into the tent.
“Are you sure about branding them?” The blacksmith, the soldier from earlier, asked Kalus.
“Yes, Jaylee and her girls can keep them from scratching at the brands till they heal,” Kalus replied before turning to look at them. “Ah good, Cami you’re first. Come here please.”
Having no reason to distrust Mr. Kalus and uncomprehending of the situation, Cami went up to Kalus and the blacksmith. With ease, the blue bracelet on her wrist was removed and replaced with iron bracelets, anklets, and an iron collar with a tag. Sherry and Holly followed. Then Cami was separated from Sherry and Holly who were chained to a holding bar as Cami was taken to the branding bench where a bit was placed in her mouth as she tried to ask what was going on followed by her being strapped down securely. Her schoolmates were also bitted.
“Preference for brand site?” Moreas asked.
“They like Jaylee’s girls will be my sons’ concubines, so in the same spot.” Kalus answered.
“Whatever, you paying, I perform as asked.” Moreas replied as he got the silver branding iron ready with Kalus’ family seal. “You’ll be back in 12 days right?”
“Yes, I will stop at my Uncles Guildhall for 2 days to rest, then come back this way with more grain and pick up more weapons. With the expansion of the contracts, I will leave my sons and the slavegirls behind with my Aunts, and bring my Uncles and Cousins along that happen to be in the area. I can move more of the discarded weapons faster that way till they figure out what they will do with them. Though rumor is that the Colonials uniformly have steel blades and even something called titanium for their blades.”
“The Dwarves aren’t going to like hearing that. They have jealously guarded their near monopoly on steel production.” Moreas mused as he stroked his beard.
Kalus grinned and pulled out an aluminum colonial messkit, “Gets even better, traded 6 pounds of tobacco for 10 of these from a Colonial Squad. They consider it cheap and looked at me silly for asking for them.”
Moreas eyes widened as he gathered more tools, “The Dwarves are going to get hot mad and drunken mad when they hear their absolute monopoly on aluminum production is gone.”
“The markets are going to exciting this year and I am positioned to make a great profit this year that will last me till retirement.” Kalus grinned.
“You planning on taking back more slaves as well?” Moreas asked as he checked the branding rod while Cami and her schoolmates struggled to free themselves.
“Nah, 3 young girls who can be raised as concubines for my sons is enough; I’m not in the slave trade. If my sons in the future decide to free these girls and make them their wives like the Emperor did with his one concubine, then they can make that decision on their own. Jaylee, I’m going to the Apothecary to get them pain medicine, when each of them is branded, place them in the wagon.”
“Yes Master,” Jaylee replied as she placed a comforting hand on Cami before whispering reassurances into her ears.
Saderan Soldiers raised little notice as Jaylee brought out first a sobbing Cami with her wrists bound behind her and placed her in the cart with her daughters, followed at 10 minute intervals by Sherry and Holly. Compared to most masters, Kalus was a good one, sheltering his slaves under a tarp covered wagon while he and his sons were largely exposed to the elements during travel. He rarely chained them too, and the most he ever done to them was brand and collar them as the law required. The one Colonial Soldier who did notice was stopped by a fellow Colonial of higher rank from doing anything. They had their orders and if something fishy was going on, the gate guards would handle it.
After placing Holly in the cart, Jaylee hopped in to provide further comfort. Kalus himself came out soon afterwards and handed Jaylee 3 skins from the Apothecary with medicine mixed in honeyed water, and soon they were on the road. The first of many Colonial Children rendered orphans by the Second Cylon War, then enslaved by Saderan Masters as the Alnus Military Zone was further brought under Saderan Control. But slavery beat death.
………………………………...
Apollo flew cover as the grand caravan finally assembled 6 days after the attack on the Colonies began. Now and then a few raiders would jump in to disrupt the gathering and running fights were picking up.
“Quillboar, stack up your squad 40 klicks above and 20 klicks behind my way marker, Dusty and Crank, talk to me.” Apollo called out.
“Wilco Apollo, Quillboar out.”
“Apollo, Crank here, DRADIS is clean so far, but did you have to stick the hyperactive demi-goddess with me?”
“Now, now, I still don’t see why I can’t fly with you my fut…”
“Rory, this channel is for military communications only, stay off of it please. Dusty proceed to Galactica” Apollo cut the Demi-goddess off while internally shuddering. Earlier the pyscho had bit his arm while declaring her undying love for him. While not exactly one to read the sacred scrolls, he read enough to know that mortal and immortal romances didn’t end well for the most part.
“Contacts bearing 345 by 190, Carom 908, weapons range in 4 minutes. Radiological Alarms, they got nukes.” Crank reported.
“Weapons free do not let them close with the Civilians. Dusty inform Karkaroff, we need long range fire support.” Apollo responded, referring to the Heracles-class Gunship 40 klicks out.
“Apollo, this is Quillboar, should we close?”
“Quillboar, this Apollo, negative, hold position, they may try a bait and switch.”
“Acknowledge Apollo, wilco.”
“Apollo, Karkaroff Actual, push them into the flak box. We can take a nuke hit, the civvies can’t.”
“Aye Sir, you heard the skipper, push them into the flak box.” Apollo ordered as he opened up long range with a missile launch.
Closing in with the Cylons at high speed, Apollo opened fire with cannons, forcing the Cylons to jink and evade towards the Karkaroff.
“Apollo, Dusty, more Raiders just jumped in, they got some heavy jamming support, can’t get a clear number.”
“Acknowledge.” Apollo answered as he pulled a hard 45g backflip and did a negative 7g turn to blow a Raider off of Jukebox’s tail.
“Apollo, Starbuck, my squadron is six minutes out, we just left the tubes.”
“Glad you could make it to the Party Starbuck, we’ll try not to steal all your kills.” Apollo bantered as he pulled another hard turn to blow away another Raider.
“Oh there better be some left for us.” Starbuck bantered back as Karkaroff’s flak wall went up, catching a dozen Raiders in the opening volley.
“Apollo, 3 Basestars just jumped in out of effective weapons range, heavy jamming, detecting launches.”
“This is the Admiral, halt evacuation flights, all FTL ships prepare for Anabasis, escort group wings RTB. Battlestar Group Wings deploy till combat landings ordered. Execute and may the Gods watch over Virgon and Leonis.” Admiral Adama ordered.
“Alright Apollo to my wing, form on Dusty and back to Calliope.”
“Oh, guess you and I will get…”
“Stay off the military channel Rory!”
…………………………………
Cavil looked at his fellow Model 1 and the ongoing fight as the Colonial Navy guarded the jumping civilians. “Well brother, what do you make of this? It can’t be the real 13th Tribe or our history is more jumbled than we think.”
“It doesn’t matter; we’ll figure out where these Humans came from and burn their world after we bash Virgon and Leonis down.”
“Their ancient defenses are fully activated and they still have substantial aerospace assets to contest a siege for months, even years. We will have substantial assets tied up to prosecute a siege. Recommend we bring the Colony in…”
“No! It’s our one asset along with the Resurrection Hub we can’t risk. We leverage our superiority in resources and mass production and drop all the WMDs we have on these two worlds till our Centurions can land and begin systematically culling the herd and grabbing the samples the 4s want for their ‘Farm’ experiments. As for the Anabasis, we harry it till we can deliver a killing blow.”
“Diana wants us to make another shot at capturing Galactica; she also wants that halberd wielding pyscho she pumped six rounds into.”
Cavil placed his head in his hands, “The frakking nutjob is obsessed with that pyscho. What else is new?”
“If we could extract her DNA, we could…”
“No not worth it. We just need the starboard flight pod, we pound Galactica till it cracks and take the pod with that Gate, get a position check and then go nuke that world.”
………………………………….
Admiral Adama stood in Galactica’s War Room as his flagship shook from another hit. Beefeater Katy proved to be a quick learner on how to stay steady from the pounding. Archmage Lukas cheated by simply floating, though the light trick was useful. Herm held steady alongside Panache despite still being sore. The Medusas Stheno, Euryale, Lily, Persephone, and Ophelia who were on loan from the Saderans since yesterday, huddled together and shook in fright as the ship took impacts. A far cry from what the legends said about them.
“Admiral, group 47 has completed their jumps.” Lieutenant Gaeta announced.
“Order Valkyrie and Artemis Groups to perform combat landings and jump, Galactica will jump with them. Nike, Minerva, and Pegasus Groups to jump after we clear.” Adama ordered as more Cylon Baseships appeared on the screen outside of weapons range. 3 days of minelaying, debris fields, and PCMs had made Virgon and Leonis difficult to approach for the next 3 months till their orbits were too far apart to mutually support each other as they orbited in opposite directions around Helios Beta. This would buy time for the Colonial Air Force to train its emergency draft of pilots and get more fighters built and arm the 47,000 STL ships staying behind that had rallied to Virgon and Leonis.
“Aye sir, transmitting the orders to Commander Tigh, Admirals Loran, Valenzuela, Callahan, Deng, and Belzen.” Gaeta spoke as he ensured the codes went out to Tigh and 5 newly breveted Battlestar Admirals. Each Atlas-class Supercarrier also got a Breveted Admiral, the Auxiliaries were under a Breveted Admiral, and the Civilians split into 47 groups with 57 armed vessels led by a reserve commissioned Admiral with a Provost and shepherding 618 unarmed civilian vessels. 4 days of heavy staff work had made this possible and each group was capable of independently traveling and fending off Raiders if need be.
All ships had been swept of any and all Cylon infiltrators, netting a few and some suspects who the Medusans had absorbed memories of. From them, a final Cylon model known as Number 6 had been found out and several dupes such as the Chief had been cleared while obvious traitors, such as Gaius Baltar, had been executed. The Number 1s had blown their brains out upon being discovered, but the other Cylons had helped piece together how their defenses had been so badly compromised.
That still left what to do with Boomer who after Helo’s execution of her, had taken a Heavy Raider and surrendered upon jumping back to the fleet. The Medusans had confirmed she was telling the truth, Tyrol had still invoked his right against self-incrimination which the JAG upheld, but Boomers memories and cooperation had cleared Tyrol who was back on duty.
“Retract the pods.” Tigh’s booming voice came over the intercom, snapping Adama back to the moment.
“Ladies, as soon as we jump I will send you back to Sadera. Thank you for all your help.” Adama addressed the Medusans who nodded gratefully as he went back to the table.
A few minutes later the Medusans stiffened and paled as the ship jumped before fainting altogether to the floor with swirly eyes and twitching snake hairs.
“Help the poor girls,” Adama ordered the medic without a second glance as he turned to Mr. Gaeta. “Mr. Gaeta arrange a conference with all the Admirals in preparation of the Coreward Advance before we do the pivot away from Earth. I want the Cylons going deep to the Core which will mess up all their scouting then bring them well away from Earth and in turning circles. Depending on the situation and circumstances we may even have some of the Civilian Groups settle any worlds we find or scatter into deep space.”
“Aye sir, I will arrange it.”
Turning back to the plot table, he addressed the Saderan Nobles. “As you are no doubt aware by now, void combat is entirely different from sea combat. Jump capabilities means attacks can come from any angle or right in your formation. Mess up your jump calcs and you come out inside of an immovable object and explode. Or they come out of you. Thankfully our inertial compensators take the worst out of the hits and jump mishaps. Otherwise those hits we took would have sent us all flying across the room.”
“Hmm, Admiral with your impressive technology, you never found a way to throw up a shield to prevent the hits from hitting you in the first place?” Archmage Lukas asked as he stroked his beard.
“Energy shields are fiction, believe me, Unified Defense Research tried and failed.” Adama quipped.
Archmage Lukas looked confused, “But you can make giant pure gemstones, right?”
It was Adama’s turn to be confused while Panache, Katy, and Herm looked at each in complete bafflement at where this was going. “I don’t see what gemstones have to do with shields. We use them for cheap adornments and industrial processes.”
Archmage Lukas started to say something, then stopped and bowed to the Admiral, “Admiral with your permission I wish to perform magical experiments using several of the purest gemstones you can make, and I wish to summon a former pupil of mine, Arpeggio El Lalena, currently doing her doctorate certification in Rondel to assist me. If my theories are correct, I may be able to work great magic that is militarily useful for the fleet.”
Adama looked at the three Saderan Nobles who were just as clueless as he was, before turning to the Archmage. “Since you can float, fine, I will see that you get your resources and whoever you need.”
The plot table updated as the stellar cartography data came in. Slower than normal as it had to be manually plugged into a relay shunt by USB due to non-networked systems of Galactica.
“This star is blue; the stars of your world and ours were yellow.” Panache spoke up pointing at the blue supergiant on the screen.
“It’s a blue supergiant. With a luminosity class of I and spectral class of B9 or earlier. If you examine closely, you can see there is three gas giants, and multiple asteroids. The stellar winds off of the star are too extreme for a planet suitable for organic life to evolve in the normal habitable zone. And if you observe this gas giant, you can see its orbit is unstable to the point it may likely become a rogue planet in a million years. However, it is rich in tylium and this system in Prolmar Sector was scheduled for exploitation. Now it is merely the first of several jumps.”
Adama changed the screen to a more general star map and highlighted the current star, shaded the former Colonial Territories, and outlined Prolmar before continuing. “Prolmar is partially mapped, but within the strike range of the Colonies. If we move Coreward, we will likely soon come across Kobol. There we will stop for a bit to ensure there is nothing there which the Cylons can use to find Earth, after which, we will start going to this region full of nebulae. After which we will be hitting relatively open space. At all costs the Cylons must not find your world. With the Lords of Kobol as my witness, this I swear.”
“Deldort, Lord of Covenants has heard your oath.” Katy spoke up as stretcher teams came in and hauled the swirly eyed Medusas out to Doc Cottle.
………………………………….
Arpeggio El Lalena arrived at the Temple of Knowledge per the summons of Mimoza La Mer. There were a large number of Masters and Archmages present. There was much confusion.
“Mistress Mimoza, what is going on?” Arpeggio asked.
For once, Mimoza dropped her childish antics and spoke plainly. “A powerful artifact from beyond the Gate is being brought to this place. The council in light of your recent demonstration in gemcraft is giving you the honor of placing it on the altar of our patron gods so it can be warded.”
“An artifact from beyond the Gate? So did the Empire’s expedition bear fruit?” Arpeggio asked.
“No clue dear, the report from the Mages that accompanied it are… Well I will be leading a delegation soon to ascertain the reports myself and see it with my own eyes.” Mimoza removed her hat and scratched her head. “Ah here is the artifact dear. Take it and offer it to the safe keeping of our patron gods.”
Arpeggio, totally lost at this point simply complied with the instructions and picked up a seemingly normal arrow which on initial inspection showed no magical presence, just unnecessary gilding. Taking it from a page, Arpeggio approached the Altar. “I am Arpeggio El Laleena, devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, I offer this artifact to your safe keeping oh patron gods Elange who I am consecrated to and to you honored Ral. Deldort, Lord of Covenants, is witness to my sincerity in offering this to you in good faith.”
Arpeggio placed the arrow on the Altar and then all hell broke loose as she pulled up into the air by an outside force and bathed in blinding light.
“This can’t be. A Kobolian Artifact?” A feminine voice deep and powerful spoke.
“This was before our time sister, but Deldort remembers and so does Chiron… We must know more immediately. Arpeggio El Laleena! I appoint thee as my Apostle. From this day you shall not age and shall serve me for 1,000 years before being rewarded with godhood. Now go forth and see what Hardy is playing at. For she plays fire with forces she can’t control and is endangering our world.”
The next thing Arpeggio knew, she was shoved between the mounds of Mimoza’s chest as she was calling her name.
“mmfh, mmfh”
Mimoza released her so she could breathe. As she did so, Arpeggio felt all her senses sharpen as if she had been wearing blinders and now they had been taken off. Then it hit her. She was an apostle and would outlive her half-sister and everyone she knew here.
“Grandmaster Mimoza, help the new Apostle up. Let her stand for the first time as an Apostle.” The Headmaster spoke gently.
“Here, take my hand your Holiness, Arpeggio El Laleena, Apostle of Elange.” Mimoza smiled at her.
Accepting the hand, Arpeggio rose up and felt immense power and an innate connection with Elange. Answers to problems that eluded her for years now came to the fore and she realized where she must go.
Summoning her staff to her hand, Arpeggio looked over the crowd who bowed to her, “I will depart to the Gate as instructed by Elange. What is occurring there is a potential threat to our world that must be contained.”
………………………………….
Emperor Molt Sol Augustus rode out at the head of his Army on a black warhorse. His sons Zorsal and Diablo beside him with a combined retinue of 24 Lictors with the bodyguard cavalry behind them, Queen Medusa with her daughters and handmaids followed on a wain pulled by elephants and guarded by her finest warriors while the rest followed behind. The Praetorian Guards was next in the line of march. The 13th, 18th, 27th, and 31st Legions marched behind, following in support were 1st, 6th, and 45th, Alae of Cavalry, and 500 Wyverns flew top cover. 4th and 19th Alae were within a day’s march of the Army on screening missions and 3rd Alae was 2 days march out. 10 more legions would concentrate along the route with 7 more Alaes of Cavalry plus auxiliaries to join the march. Consul Sulius had been left as reagent while he was away.
Whatever was happening at Alnus, he would find out shortly with his own eyes. His daughter’s latest message and reports from Armandus were rather sparse on detail and Shandy’s words he would have dismissed if not for Grey’s affirmation. Alnus was 50 days march and King Duran would be there with the Vassal Armies 20 days before he reach it. Gathering this force had taken 12 days. Now Molt would find out what strange things his daughter was involved in.
