Alliances: Civil War II Chapter Fifty-Five

Soon, Commander Adama and his first officer, Colonel Tigh, beamed aboard the Voyager. Janeway and Chakotay gave them a guided tour of the vessel, and the two Galactica officers were most impressed by Federation technology. Soon, they were in the Mess Hall, enjoying one of Neelix's culinary creations.

"It seems to me that we all have the same problem," said Adama. "You are trying to find your way home, and we are looking for a new home."

"What are you suggesting, Commander?"

"We could each benefit from each other's help, you from our fighters and military capabilities, us from your technology."

"But what of the Prime Directive?", asked Chakotay.

"Prime Directive?", asked Tigh.

"It is a rule that prohibits Federation ships from sharing their technology with others," said Janeway. "But in this case, it hardly applies. Anyway, from what we've heard, the Federation doesn't even exist anymore!"

"What do you mean?", asked Adama. "Has Earth been invaded?"

"Have you ever heard of the Galactic Empire?", asked Janeway.

"There were stories we heard, not long before the Cylon's last offensive, that told of an ancient republic that became a tyranny under one man," said Adama. "There was also a rumour that said they were helping the Cylons."

"Perhaps these Cylons are on Wayland as well," said Chakotay.

"Commander Adama, we may have a problem here."

 

The Valkyrie was the last ship to leave the Pegasus' main docking bay, ahead of the Lohengrin, the Liberator, the Tempest, the Defiant, and the Saratoga. As Captain Watt sat in his chair, with Admiral MacCleod beside him, they awaited confirmation from the Pegasus Operations room.

"Pegasus control, this is Captain Watt. We await clearance."

"Final clearance is yours, Captain," said Pendragon. "And Jim... good luck!"

"Thank you, Arthur," said Watt. "And Arthur... keep an alcopop chilled for me!"

The fleet began to move away from the Time of Legends. Duncan began to contact the other ships, making sure the new cavourite drives were ready. He was amazed that the estimated time of arrival to the Tatooine system, in the outlying regions of the Delta Quadrant, was only sixty-four hours.

With the orders given, Duncan re-took his seat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to go into the hairy-arsed furball! Engage!"

To almost everyone's amazement, as soon as the cavourite drive was engaged, things seemed even normal, though they were travelling far faster than warp nine.

As the crew began to relax after the initial trepidation, Watt turned to Duncan.

"Hairy-arsed furball? You've met Sergeant Bouguus as well!"

"I taught him everything he knows!"

 

As the sun shone over the planet Wayland, the talks were formally concluded. One by one, those representing the major powers at these talks signed the document, sealing the pact with Palpatine and the Galactic Empire. With the last signature, Palpatine rose to speak.

"With this day, a new galactic dawn begins. No more will anyone rebel against our rule, for we are all powerful! The Galactic Empire will crush all beneath us!"

 

As the senior officers of both Voyager and the Galactica gathered in the briefing rooms of the Galactica, Janeway and Adama looked out at the sea of humanity that was now before them.

"I never thought it would happen this quickly," said Janeway.

"We both share a common goal," said Adama.

"And, it would seem, a common enemy."

"But will this plan work?", asked Janeway. "If there are as many gathered at Wayland as we found out, then we would be greatly outnumbered!"

"Never underestimate a colonial warrior, Captain. We have our ways and means."

 

As a member of the Maquis now forced to work under Federation rules, Seska, at times, found it hard working within these guidelines. Few even knew that she had another agenda. With most of the officers aboard the Galactica discussing tactics for what was now being called the Wayland operation, few saw what she was up to.

Using her vast technical expertise, she accessed Voyager's communications systems. It took a while, but she managed to disguise her transmission as nothing more than sub-space interference.

 

It was moments later when Tarkin entered the main control room of the Death Star. As soon as he entered he saw the ramifications of this new alliance, as those summoned—Kazon, Cylon, Imperial—stood before him. At the front of this motley crew stood the leader of the Kazon-Nistrim, Culluh.

"We've picked up a transmission from an adjoining system, from a contact, who tells us that the Federation starship Voyager, and the Battlestar Galactica are preparing to launch an attack on Wayland, in an attempt to stop the talks," said Tarkin.

"Then they are fools," said Culluh. "The talks have finished!"

"But they don't know that, do they?", said Tarkin. "You, Culluh, will have the honour of leading the first combined attack force of our new alliance. Your goal, the total destruction of the Voyager and the Galactica!"