`I want to thank the Betas who help me with this story Darth been around from the start, and I think I broke his mind a few times. The next is Liz the Daughter of Apollo while they could not help long they did help me with the story. The last is Scribe-Editor my new beta who has done a lot of work to help clean up all the chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate in anyway shape or form the lucky people of MGM do. I also do not own Battlestar Galactica the people of NBC own it. I am only writing the story for fun and nothing else.

Stargate Thirteen The Cylon War

by ShadowXV

Chapter 1

Beginnings

*Earth*

It was a new age for the people of Earth for they now knew that they were not alone in the universe.

Less than a year ago, the System Lord Anubis had attempted to devastate the planet. Rather than just bombard it from orbit, he had landed his Jaffa and Kull warriors to systematically remove the Tau'ri menace permanently. Many of the dead were military fighting to defend their homelands or caught in the initial bombardment, dying as the Holocaust fell. The rest were civilian, dying on the ground or in the aircraft deliberately shot down by marauding Death Gliders.

It was only because of the diligent efforts of SG-1 that the Earth was saved. But what was saved was never the same again.

In the aftermath, as the world dug itself out of the rubble, representatives from many of the surviving governments converged on the United Nations building. In an almost unified voice, the UN body demanded answers. But what was even more startling was that they got them.

The IOA Alliance, stumbling in its relative youth, slowly and carefully narrated the tale of the Stargate, and the SGC, starting with the rebellion in Egypt and ending with the most recent events. Even with the extraordinary restraint shown by some members (and understandable dismay shown by others), the session took days to work through. But by the time they were done they as a group had laid aside their differences and accomplished what even the most optimistic skeptics said was impossible; the foundation for a workable world government.

The Unified Earth Government (UEG) was based on the United Nations (UN), with the exception that any joining member would have its military amalgamated into one group called the Earth Defense Forces (EDF). Almost immediately, all IOA members were involved with other major countries joining shortly after. By the one year anniversary of Anubis' attack, 90% of the world's nations were part of the UEG, albeit some yielding to the immense pressure of neighboring countries. Those that did not join did not dare attack in fear of what the joint forces of the EDF would do in return.

At the same time, SG-1 was not idle. Teal'c and Major Carter used, and lost, the altered cargo ship to contact and request help from the Asgard to "fix" Colonel O'Neill. There they witnessed the Replicators escape from their "Time Prison", and Major Carter's abduction by the replicator "Five". Thor traveled to Earth to pick up Colonel O'Neill from the Antarctic stasis pod, and Daniel Jackson from the SGC and then return to the Asgard homeworld of Orilla. Between the Ancient Knowledge possessed by Colonel O'Neill and the technology of the Asgard, a weapon was made that ended the replicator threat down to the last bug. Thankfully Major Carter was found safe and sound amongst the debris.

With the final defeat of the Replicators, Thor returned SG-1 to Earth. With the elections for World Prime Minister still a couple of months away, Thor spoke, for the first time, to the collective council of the EUG. With Earth's maturity beginning to show properly, and with the full approval of the Asgard High Council, Thor offered an exchange. An upgrade of technologies from the Asgard that Earth could understand and work with, in exchange for a more active role as the galaxy's "Fifth Race." These were improvements that Earth would have discovered by themselves over the next couple of years anyways. This meant clean energy for all and more efficient power systems to the ships that would be needed in the near future.

*SGC, Earth*

*10 months after Disclosure*

A newly promoted Brigadier General Jack O'Neill tiredly leaned back in his chair, shuddering at the mountain of paperwork on his desk. The Asgard had informed them of a group of worlds that were close cousins to Earth and thought it a good idea if the SGC were to check up on them. The worlds in question were heavily influenced by the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods and considered Earth to be a mythical lost colony of theirs. But at the same time, O'Neill noted, they had an industrial base that allowed them to field a considerable fleet of ships. That and the numbers of people they had to 'man' those ships could be a considerable ally if Earth ever needed them.

A knock on his door revealed a welcome break to his work. Waving the newly minted Lt. Colonel Carter to a seat, he begged, "Please tell me you have some good news?"

Smiling, Carter nodded.

"Thanks to the Asgard Beaming technology, we can make pretty well anything we want. The only trade-off is the energy required to 'create' it if the raw material is not on hand. We have several mining sites up and running to obtain the raw materials to build the initial fleet as quickly as possible. After that, we will focus on improving the supply chains to secure Earth and her colonies."

A pause and a deep breath, "At the moment we are building ships with Titanium and any conventional materials here that require as little power as possible. And, until the off world mines can provide the Naquadah, power for construction and ships operation will be slow in coming."

Nodding, O'Neill inquired, "How long until the major shipyards are up and operational?"

"We figure three months for the 303 yards and another four for the first of the 304 yards to be ready. Even with disclosure, the only bottlenecks are power and resources."

"Figures. That being said, the new Prime Minister agrees with the Asgard that we should make contact with these "Colonials" at some point. The new Secretary of Defense has gone so far as to order us to plan to deploy a long-term recon team to be inserted into one of their worlds."

Staring at O'Neill, Carter wondered aloud, "And how long will they be deployed?"

"Five years at least, but the odds are that they won't be pulled out until after first contact. There is just too much info we need to know about these "Colonials" before we can even begin to think about approaching them. The Asgard realizing this, have offered to slip our team on to their world and somehow set them up with basic life and language skills so they can melt into the general population. My only concern right now is who do I commit/condemn to a long term recon where they may not have anything to come back to or even come back at all?"

After a long, sobering pause, Carter piped up.

"What about Major Simpson's team, SG-13? At first glance, the team was only just brought together, but individually, the people have been a part of the SGC for years. Not only that, the collective skill sets that each member has to offer could work to deal with most eventualities. The downside is that those skills could be used back here as well."

Digging through the mound of paperwork, General O'Neill pulled out the folder for SG-13, allowing a small avalanche of others to fall to the floor. After a quick glance at a smirking Carter, O'Neill scanned the folder, taking in the team's notable highlights.

"I tend to agree with you on this one. On paper, they seem to be a good choice. Not to mention that most of the team has little or no family to speak of. My only concern is how they will react to how long they are supposed to be there?"

"Simpson is one hell of a pilot," noted Carter. "I would really hate to lose his expertise at a time like this. If I recall, he was one of the people watching our backs during Anubis' attack, making Ace in the process. Just recently, he assisted in the design of that top notch training plan we're now using to prepare the new 302 pilots."

"I know, I know!", mumbled the General. "You might as well get out of here, Carter. I'm going to need some time to think on this."

*SGC, Earth*

*2 days later*

Hearing a knock on his office door, General O'Neill raised his head. Spying Major Timothy Simpson, O'Neill waved the Major in with a simple, "Enter."

Saluting, Simpson responded, "Major Simpson reporting as ordered, Sir."

"Sit down, Major."

As he watched the major settle into the seat, O'Neill made a last silent assessment of the man.

"Major, your team has been chosen for a long-term reconnaissance mission. I'm not going to sugar coat it. You will be gone for five years, possibly longer. In fact, you may never return. Your objectives would be to monitor, observe and possibly assess how we would try to initiate first contact with them. The other members of your team have already agreed. It's just up to you."

The major held General O'Neill's gaze for a moment or two before nodding.

"If my team is going, then so am I."

A smile flickered across the general's face as he realized how much this team resembled his own SG-1. In a way, he could imagine the great trials this team would face, but also the great rewards they would reap in the future. Only time would tell.

"If that is the case, then you are hereby promoted to the rank of Colonel, with all the privileges and responsibilities therein," O'Neill stated, sliding the rank insignia across the desktop. "This promotion is to take effect immediately."

It was a stunned Colonel Simpson that stuttered back, "S-s-sir? Why a two rank promotion?"

"The reason is twofold, Colonel," replied a pensive O'Neill, as Simpson picked up the 'Birds.' "First, you've been with the program from almost the very beginning. The second reason is purely precautionary. In the event that you or any member of your team is found out, it is hoped that the Colonials will consider you more valuable and want to interrogate you rather than shoot you." Shrugging his shoulders, the general continued. "But then again, I could be wrong."

Pausing for a moment, O'Neill continued. "Now, get to the briefing room with the rest of your team. I'll be out in a moment."

Standing, the newly minted Colonel sharply saluted the General and walked out of the office and into the briefing room.

"Hey, Major," called out Captain Sean Wirges. "Do you have any idea what they have in mind for us?"

"What's the problem, Wirges? You afraid all of the plum assignments will go to the less deserving teams?," joked Lieutenant Joe Harris.

Simpson only offered a quiet shrug. Tossing his new rank insignia onto the briefing table, Tim settled himself into the nearest chair.

The silence was deafening as the other three teammates looked on in disbelief.

"Colonel. Colonel!," muttered Lieutenant Jennifer Simmons, breaking the ice. "Dang! That means I now have to call you Sir!"

"As you should, Lieutenant," announced General O'Neill, as he entered the room. "At ease everyone. We've got a briefing to get through and not much time for you to prepare."

Taking a seat at the head of the table, the general gestured with the remote. The screen at the other end began displaying information.

"People, this is going to be your new home for the next few years. From what the Asgard can tell us, they call themselves the Twelve Colonies. They were originally from the world called Kobol until a cataclysm of some sort forced them to relocate to the Cyrannus star system. There each colony developed on their own world's based on their version of Ancient Greek society. While all of them worship the Greek Pantheon, each world has its own dialects and customs."

"The curious thing is," paused O'Neill, "They all have a common myth where Earth is supposedly a missing/lost 13th tribe. As this could be either good or bad, your job, since you accepted it, is to live among them, learn their ways, and try to get a feel for their technology. The most important detail is to try to gauge how they could possibly react if their 'long lost brother's and sister's' were to contact them."

Leaning back in his chair, Colonel Simpson pondered the assignment before he spoke.

"So, what you want is for us as a team to live among these 'Colonials' and spy on them?"

"No!", was the sharp reply. "Keep your observations to any civilian technology and operations. This should include government, aerospace, medical, urban infrastructure, everything. Just try to keep from any military encounters, if possible. Word has it that Colonial Intelligence is excellent at what they do."

"In the event, you are caught, we're hoping that being SG-13 and from Earth will keep them from harming you. In the long run, any information you can acquire during your stay, especially on ship construction, would be a great benefit."

"This is all good," commented Harris, "But how do you suppose we are going to pull this off? Of 12 Worlds, which should we go to, speak the language, interact with the population at large? I, for one, don't know Greek outside of math equations, and would probably stick out like a sore thumb ordering at a restaurant."

General O'Neill gave them one of his trademark smirks.

"The ancient "head sucker" thingy."

"WHAT?", came the collective gasp.

"Relax, relax. In exchange for sharing any information we gather from this mission, the Asgard have offered to transport and insert you on the planet 'Caprica.' On the way, you will spend time in one of their "educational pods" where your bodies will be prepared, and all of the necessary language skills, customs, and any other idiosyncrasies will be downloaded into your brains. Considering the length of the voyage, you should be able to absorb the information more readily and a lot less painfully than what I had to."

"Well that's a relief," snarked Wirges. "And here I was worrying about 'going ancient.'"

"That's enough out of you, Mister," warned O'Neill. "I could have Thor make an exception just for you! Now out of here, the lot of you. You have 48 hours before you need to report back. Make the most of it."

Amidst a chorus of "yes sir"s, the team exited the briefing room.

As diverse as the team was, so were their choice of places. While Harris spent time with what family he had left, Wirges and Simmons enjoyed the music and atmosphere of at an out of the way pub discussing, and planning for what was to come. Tim, on the other hand, chose a quiet lake his family commonly visited to try to come to terms with his regrets.

Light from the setting sun sparkled on the lake in front of Colonel Simpson. Tossing a couple of his sister's favorite flowers on to the waves, he thought back to the last time he had seen her. Roughly two years ago, on one of his rare days off, he had been able to join her and her family on these very shores. It had started out okay but quickly turned ugly when he wouldn't/couldn't answer questions about his work. Turning away she declared she would never talk to him until he could answer her truthfully. Painfully he walked away.

The battle with Anubis had ended in a pyrrhic victory. Oh sure the invading fleet was destroyed or repulsed, but so were many innocent victims; his sister's town amongst them. He and his fellow 302 pilots did the best that they could, but in the end still felt like they had let the world down when they were needed most.

A scuffed footstep on the turf brought Simpson from his musings. As the steps stopped nearby, he looked around.

"Can I help you, General O'Neill?"

"Oh for crying out loud, Tim! Neither of us is in uniform, so just call me Jack."

"Okay, JACK," smirked Tim, "what brings you to such an out-of-the-way place like this?"

"Having known you for so long, it wasn't hard to figure you'd like to take a moment at your family's favorite lake," commented Jack. "And with the time you'll be spending on this mission, you will be missed not only by the SGC family at large but also by your fellow pilots.

"True," nodded Simpson. "And with the rumors of that newly upgraded 302 going into testing, they're going to have their hands full. What are we up to now, the Mark 4?"

Jack, wide eyed, shook his head.

"How the hell did that get out?! It's still classified Top Secret!"

"Trust me, Jack," replied Tim. "Classified or not, pilots keep each other informed. Especially if there is something out there that we can use to put paid on what the snakes did to the earth."

"If that's the case," grinned O'Neill, "as a going away present, I'd like to give you first crack at the new prototype. For an hour or two; just to work out the kinks."

"Okay, but why me?"

"Mainly because you've had the most combat experience and because anyone else worth calling on is already out on assignment. You are also known for an unbiased view when critiquing situations, tactics, and performances. Besides, it'll give you a chance to get in some last licks at your old buddies X-Man and Iceman. They'll be up there just itching to give the prototype a pasting. What do you say?"

Simpson looked back with a feral grin on his face.

The following morning found Simpson security cleared and getting his first look at the new fighter. It was a marked departure from the original 302 design. It was smaller in both its size and wing surface than its predecessor, while featuring one engine to the original three. The overall color was a charcoal gray instead of the traditional Gull Grey favored by Air Force Traditionalists. In Tim's opinion, it had a lot of resemblance to a Wraith Dart; its look spoke of speed and agility. These were certainly dangerous qualities when in the hands of a master. Simpson had remembered the first reports on the wraith darts that had been brought back to Earth.

"Like what you see, Colonel?"

A quick glance over Tim's shoulder showed a grinning General O'Neill quietly sauntering towards him.

"Are you sure this is an earth based design?" snarked Simpson. "I really wouldn't want to go through what you did with the X-301. Then it was an annoyance: now it would be a complete embarrassment."

"Oi," mocked O'Neill, gesturing to the ceiling. "One mistake and everybody's a critic. This one is totally earth based. This F-302B has increased speed and maneuverability. She's armed with a rail gun in the nose and 2 Death Glider style plasma cannons in the wings. And before you ask, yes, someone finally reverses engineered the bloody things for OUR fighters for a change!"

"And the color?" queried Simpson.

"Yeah, yeah. Now you guys won't look like fireflies in the night sky! You wouldn't believe how many requests came in for THAT change." Quickly checking his watch, he continued. "Now, your flight suit is in the change room waiting for you. X-Man and Iceman will be airborne and waiting for you in about 30 minutes. When you're suited up, Dr. Lee will give you a quick rundown on the updates, and make any needed adjustments. Good hunting, Tim."

Offering a sketchy salute in return, Tim replied, "Thank you, Sir."

It took Tim longer to slip on his flight suit. Unlike the previous cloth and "G-suit" extras he was used to, this was a full-body pressure suit designed to protect the pilot in case of loss of atmosphere in the cockpit. Meticulous care had to be observed while closing up the various seal points; especially at the neck and wrists. One mistake and the pilot could be breathing vacuum very quickly. Tim was just about finished when Dr. Lee entered the change room.

"Ah! Colonel Simpson. Suited up I see."

"And you, doctor, seem anxious to bring me up to speed on all of the new gizmos and improvements, eh?"

Minutes later Tim taxied to the end of the runway, contacting the tower for clearance.

"Tower, this is 302B. Awaiting clearance for taking off."

"302B, this is the tower. You are cleared for take off. Take heading 265 for departure lane to Checkpoint Charlie for access to the test range."

Tower, 302B. Copy. Beginning test flight now."

Keeping silent, Simpson applied power and felt the nimble fighter almost leap from the ground. Fighting his usual instincts to manhandle the controls, he instead manipulated them with finesse and "kid gloves". The results were surprising, but at the same time unnerving. Tim could see that up, and coming pilots would either need the sensitivity dialed back a bit, or take considerably more time to adapt.

"X-Man, Iceman. I've got a contact, inbound, bearing 134. It looks like our friend has come out to play."

"Copy, Iceman. Looks like he'll pass us on our left. I'm on your right, a little low."

"Tally Ho, X-man. I've got the lead."

Engaging the unknown plane, Iceman and X-man were hard pressed to keep up with the other plane. The three planes danced in the sky, each jockeying for that ultimate kill position, but never quite succeeding. At one point, the unknown bogey had passed the two planes and executed an unexpected 180 degree flip over, almost catching Iceman in its crosshairs.

X-Man cursed out loud, "Damn it, Ice! Who the hell is flying that thing?!"

Hearing the tone for an impending missile lock, X-Man attempted a quick roll and dive to try to break radar lock. No such luck. Half way through the maneuver, his systems indicated he had been killed.

"That's it, Ice. I'm out."

Watching his wingman's demise, Iceman muttered a quiet curse. "X, the only one I can figure that to be is Kage. Everyone else has been assigned somewhere. But the last I heard he'd been tagged for some long term op."

"Yeah, but we all need to keep up our skills, don't we boys," quipped Simpson, as he slid into position behind Iceman for the 'kill.' "You shouldn't let your guard down there, Ice. Doesn't look professional."

"Uh-huh. You just got lucky!"

"If you say so, but just to make sure how about we go for the best two out of three?"

The 'games' lasted for ages (at least in pilot terms), only to be ended by dire threats from the traffic controller and the low fuel indicator on their displays. The debrief that followed acknowledged the fighter's worth as Earth's potential newest Aerospace Superiority Fighter. Even General O'Neill cracked a knowing smile as he listened in on the various wins and losses experienced by the three pilots. Colonel Simpson's concern about the control sensitivity was acknowledged, with plans for adjustment or extended training periods to compensate.

The get together at the bar was just as enthusiastic as it was bittersweet, knowing it would be a long time before the next sharing of "war stories."

*Asgard ship "O'Neill II"*

*Colonial controlled space*

Supreme Commander Thor, of the Asgard fleet, stood watching over the four members in their "educational" pods. Educational in the sense that their bodies were being prepared for the world that they were about to join. This included immunities, biology's, anything that would allow them to survive as if they'd been born there. The required knowledge, however, came from the familiar tendrils of light to playing over the four team mates. The Ancient with him gesturing was implanting and educating them what it meant to be, speak, and behave as a Colonial.

"I do regret you had to lie to your friend O'Neill. How you are getting this team into the Colonies is not important right now. Why is. "

Thor, watching her 'work', mused aloud, "The People of Earth are connected to the Twelve Colonies, but not as simple as the Colonials would like to think. It was that difference in the 13th tribe that has helped make the Tau'ri who they are today. Regretfully that part of their joint history was lost during the unsettled times after Ra was driven off the planet.

The Ancient, smiling, replied, "True. It was a great shame that the original 13 tribes could not get along. I am hopeful that this time will be different."

Thor looked thoughtfully at his resting charges.

"Knowing the Tau'ri, Earth will not simply allow themselves to be absorbed and become the 13th colony of Kobol. They've worked too long and hard to simply give up what they have become. But if your plan works then Earth will have an ally besides ourselves amongst the stars that can help them even more than we had been able to in the past."

Allowing the tendrils to fade, she watched the sleeping SG team.

"It's done. They will be able to move in and out of colonies with ease. I made sure that all paperwork is in place so they could join the general population on Caprica with as little trouble as possible. Once the Tau'ri discover the truth, I am sure they will be annoyed and upset with what was done but do not blame yourself, Thor. After all, it is my people that are asking for you to do this."

Characteristic of all departing Ancients, the woman melted into bright light and faded away. Thor just watched the empty space a few minutes, thinking, before he began waking the SG team.

Timothy Simpson, sitting up in the pod, began stretching and scratching from his week long 'nap'. Finally, sure he was himself; he rose and joined his teammates looking down at a strange new world.

"So, are we finally there?"

"No," replied Thor. "This is the world of Kobol. It is the world that the 12 tribes claim they originated from in the first place. At least that is what their Sacred Scrolls and prophecies claim. If there was a prior world, that knowledge was lost ages ago. Kobol still seems to be recovering from some disaster; be it natural or man-made, I am not yet able to determine."

"This world would be a great place for a base," mused Joe Harris, "But I guess the Colonies would have first dibs on it. Right?"

Thor simply nodded. After a pause, the Asgard ship began moving, shifting into the familiar sight of hyperspace. Thor continued.

"We will be exiting hyperspace just outside Colonial sensor range. We will then proceed under cloak to the capitol world of Caprica. There is a secluded nature preserve where you will be transported. This is to be our drop off and pick up point."

"Your identities have been arranged in the government network. You have finances set aside to get you started, but the rest is up to you. Are you ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be, Thor," replied Jennifer Simmons. "And thanks for everything."

"Yeah, thanks, Thor," commented Wirges. "Hope to see you in a couple of years or so."

Arriving over Caprica, the cloaked O'Neill carefully inserted itself into orbit around the planet. Once SG-13 were transported into the remote reserve, Thor took a moment to observe the bustling activities of the local population. These Colonials were similar to their Tau'ri counterparts, he mused; so bold, so full of themselves, and yet just as different.

After doing a passive scan of the local ships, the O'Neilr broke orbit, leaving the system and SG-13 to their own adventures.