Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney. I do not own Halo or any of it characters, they are all belong to 343 Industries. I do not own Battlestar Galactica 1978 or any of its characters, they all belong Glen A. Larson and Universal. Rated M for sexual themes.

Chapter 16

Judy watched as her monitor showed her fleet assembling in the Zootopia system. By the end of the month all 1,004 Keyships would be here and ready to depart for UNSC space and the other stars thousands of light years beyond it. She wanted to take several months to get a 'feel' for what was happening in the UNSC and the space that had been controlled by the Covenant before the war had ended. Afterwards she was determined first to go to Sanghelios and contact Thel 'Vadam along with John, Cortana, and Catherine Halsey. Only afterwards would they go to Earth.

Another 226 Keyships would remain behind in various allied star systems for security purposes. 2742 Vibrant Contemplation and the other Forerunner AIs were constantly bringing more Keyships online and delivering them to the Zootopia system and their allies. Shield World 1723 had another 4,318 Forerunner starships mothballed and could produce even more if she'd requested it.

The first of the Yoth and Aphpo ships had arrived in system a week earlier and the first Mellin delegation would arrive in two days. Of course other allied species were also sending representatives to meet all the new species that Mary had discovered on their way to the Greater Magellanic Cloud. Judy had sent Keyships to each of their worlds to bring their representatives here if necessary. It seemed that Mary and her Captains had told stories about Zootopia and everyone wanted to travel here and see its wonders.

The transport gateway had been assembled and in five days the new planet would pass though and become the fourth (and third habitual) planet in their star system. It would take extensive work to restore the Spiders' planet back to the state it had been before the white dwarf had damaged it. Even with the help of all the local UNSC allies it was estimated that it would still take five years of hard work to restore the planet to its former state.

She went back to reading Mary's report on their journey to the Greater Magellanic Cloud. A race of homicidal robots – that's something she would've never thought of. She heard the door open behind her and turned. Nick strolled in with his mother, Catherine, and her husband Joe in tow.

"Well this is a surprise," Judy said, putting down her pad, and hugged the vixen and then the Cheetah.

"We wanted to see you before we left and you got too busy being 'the Admiral'," Catherine said and smiled. "So here we are."

A bit later the door opened again and Jill, Judy's sister and Nick's second wife, entered followed by Ben, Elizabeth, and Marco. Judy smelled a rat, thinking of a certain human idiom. Half an hour later their apartment was by her guess nearly full.

"So whose idea was this party?" she whispered into her husband's ear.

"It just sorta happened," the Fox fibbed and then grinned.

"Yea, I've heard that story before."

It was after 3am before the party broke up and they got to bed. Judy snuggled up to her Fox and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Thanks Nick," Judy said and kissed him.

"You're welcome, but I didn't do anything."

"But who," she began and then looked over Nick's shoulder at the sleep doe. "She's a good sister."

"And a good wife," he said and kissed his bunny.

They snuggled together and were soon asleep.

"By your command, I am Lucifer," the robot had said and then 777 Serious Contemplation explained what it had found in the Cylon computers and their plans. At that point they had only 34 hours and 27 minutes to save the Human civilization here in the Greater Magellanic Cloud.

"And we have enough ships and AIs to take control of the entire Cylon Empire simultaneously?" Mary asked 777 Serious Contemplation.

"Yes, we have enough to go to every Colonial and Cylon world with five to spare," the Forerunner AI confirmed. "This ship, the Ris' Pride, and the Bellerophon will go to the suppose Colonial/Cylon 'Peace' Conference. There also maybe a few Cylon Basestars in transit so that it's possible that we may miss a few, but all Colonial planets will be protected."

"And you'll accompany three Keyships to the Cylon homeworld."

"Yes."

Mary looked at her Captains, some here in person while others only virtually, and spoke.

"You all have your targets and we have ten hours before we're ready to leave," she said and paced across the room. "Remember will only move 5 minutes before the Cylons begin their attack." 106 heads nodded. "Let's make sure everything is ready."

The Zootopia II, the Ris' Pride, and the Bellerophon dropped out of slipspace just outside the system and when to silent mode. Using only their passive sensors they scanned the system and found just what they'd expected – the first of the arriving Battlestars and several thousand hidden Cylon fighters.

"Since there are no Baseships in system we're going to fight and destroy all these Cylon Raiders ship to ship," Robert said to his Admiral. "We got the hard job and we have most of our fighters aboard our three ships and they are all ready to go."

"Good," she said and he took her into his arms.

"So what do you have in mind?"

"I thought we might," he said and kissed his bunny, "and then..."

"We've only got an hour before things get started," she said, looking at the clock. "So now we need to get to the bridge."

He looked so disappointed that she had to giggle.

"Admiral, one of the Battlestars has launched two fighters," the sensor tech said and looked back at her console. The woman looked up after ten seconds. "Admiral, they on a course toward that small moon and will encounter the Cylons in about twenty minutes."

"Thank you. Please let me know when they do."

"Yes Admiral."

They watched as one of the two fighters entered the moon's atmosphere.

"Admiral, that fighter has found the two Cylon tankers and is continuing past them," she said and watched her monitor. "The Cylons have seen him and are giving chase."

"Tell the Ris' Pride and the Bellerophon to go now as planned," the Admiral said, looking closely at the tactical situation on her monitor, "and take us to those colonial fighters."

Three slipspace portals opened and moments later the three Keyships disappeared into them.

Commander Adama watched his sons being pursued by what he assumed – no, he was now positive - was Cylons. Then he'd spoke to President Adar who ordered him to do nothing. He looked at Colonel Tigh and smiled.

"This may be a very good time for Battle Stations drill," he said. "Sound the alert, Colonel."

"Yes, sir," Tigh said and turned to give the order.

"Commander!" Lieutenant Athena cried, "Three ships just came out of nowhere!"

"Cylons?" Adama asked and moved to her station.

"No sir," she said, studying her monitor. Then she dropped her voice to a whisper and turned to him. "These ships are eight times larger than the Galatica."

It took a few moments for him to digest that.

"Where are they?"

"Two of them are in front of the fleet moving toward the Cylons and the third is near Apollo and Zac's position," she said and he squeezed his daughter's shoulder. She looked at her screen and watched the number of contacts blossom. "Father, they're deploying fighters."

"How many?" he asked and she turned back to her console.

"The computer is still counting and so far it's found over 1500."

Adama turned to his communication tech.

"Contact President Adar!"

Apollo thought Zac had done fairly well in his first fight with the Cylons. He'd only lost one engine, but now it looked like they were being pursued by every fighter in the Cylon fleet and Zac was slowing them down.

"Apollo, look!"

A starship just appeared, slowed, and began deploying fighters – a lot of them.

"Let's just keep heading toward the fleet and keep that ship between us and the Cylons."

"That sounds like a really good idea to me!"

"Just don't get too close."

"I was just wondering if Cylons made a new enemy."

"And I guess you're thinking the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"Do really want me to answer that?"

"No."

A minute later the fighters just passed them by and continued toward the Cylons.

"So far so good," Zac said and chuckled. "Maybe we could get just a bit closer."

Apollo looked at his scanner and noted that their new friends had opened fire on the Cylons.

"What could it hurt?"

"Do really want me to answer that question?"

"Very funny Zac."

"Gentlemen, would you like to come aboard?" a voice said over their radios.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Admiral Mary Elizabeth Renard," she said, her voice sounding a bit odd to them. "So would you like to come aboard the Zootopia II or would you rather fight the Cylons?"

"Zac fighter is damaged and we're both starting to run low on fuel."

"We know."

"Admiral, permission to come aboard."

"Permission granted," she said and smiled. "We're sending a ship to meet you."

"President Adar," Commander Adama said as the other man appeared on the screen, "it looks as if someone else had come to greet the Cylons." The President frowned. "Would you agree that now is now time to deploy our fighters?"

"Yes," he said and Adama watched the other man's shoulders slump. "Adama, I fear I've made a grave error."

"Just where is Baltar?" Commander Adama asked and saw the President wince.

"He said he was going to his Battlestar," he said and Adama only stared at him.

"Sir, maybe we should check on that."

They followed their escort which was about the size of one of the smaller Colonial destroyers into landing bay and were directed to set down at its far end. Surprisingly they were met by another human.

"Who are you?" Zac asked.

"Please follow me," the woman said, her pad translating. "Admiral Renard will answer all your questions."

Zac looked at his brother and then they followed her into an elevator. It rose and opened onto a shuttle station. Then they boarded what Apollo assumed was an internal shuttle which stopped a station just as empty as was the first one had been. After a short walk they were ushered into an office. Both Apollo and Zac were reminded of their father's onboard the Galatica. After five minutes the other door opened and they both stood at attention. The Admiral and the Captain of the Zootopia II stepped inside and smiled at the look on the two humans' faces.

"You're a Rabbit!" Zac blurted out, finding his voice first as the woman's pad translated.

Both the Admiral and Captain saw the other human wince.

"And I'm a Fox," Richard said and smiled, "and Captain of the Zootopia II."

"I'm Admiral Renard," she said and indicated is chairs. "Gentlemen, please take a seat."

"Ma'am, I think you should speak to our Quorum of Twelve," Apollo said, leaning forward.

"And we shall, but I think we need to get to know each other a little better," she said and both humans looked at each other, "so you may introduce us properly."

"What about your battle with the Cylons?" Zac said.

"Zac!" Apollo hissed. "Ma'am he didn't..."

"I understand that he's most likely concerned with your people," she said and smiled. "Please follow us."

She rose and the two Colonials soon found themselves standing on the Zootopia II's bridge.

"Please display the current positions of all ships in this system," Mary said to the science officer.

Five seconds later the screen revealed the developing battle.

"Ma'am, our ships are colored in blue, the Colonials are green, and the Cylons are red," the science officer said and stood. "The Colonials have now launched their fighters..."

"Vipers," Zac said and his brother nudged him.

The man looked at him for a moment and then continued.

"They've launched their Vipers and are cautiously bringing them forward," he said and looked back at the Admiral. "I think they're gauging our response or lack of it to the vipers coming up behind our ships."

"You don't think they'll attack us."

"No ma'am," he said and smiled. "I think it is obvious to them what we are doing to the Cylons and I think they want to join the fight against their old enemy."

"Apollo, maybe we should talk to father," Zac said.

"An interesting idea," Robert said and looked at the Admiral for a moment. "And your father is..."

"He commands the Galatica," Apollo said and pointed. "They've moved around a bit, but I think it's this Battlestar."

"Please zoom in on that ship," she said, turning to the science officer.

The screen centered on the indicated ship and then it filled the screen. The name in Colonial script showed large on one of the launch bays.

"Please open a channel to that ship."

"It'll take a just a moment," the communication tech said.

Ten seconds later two voices were heard.

"That's father!" Zac exclaimed.

"And that's President Adar," Apollo said.

"Zac! Apollo!" Adama said.

"Father!"

"Adama, are those your sons?"

"Yes."

"Father, we are aboard the alien flagship," Apollo said, sounding relieved.

"How..."

"Sir, Zac's viper was damaged and we were running low on fuel," Apollo said and then chuckled, "and their Admiral invited us onboard."

"I'm Admiral Mary Elizabeth Renard and as Apollo said this is my flagship the Zootopia II."

"Your name sound somewhat human," Adama said.

"I'm not human, but we have a large contingent of humans crewing our fleet."

"Maybe we should meet face to face," Adar said.

"Of course," the Admiral said, "but let's finish with the Cylons first."

Four hours later the Zootopia II came to rest beside the Galatica. Then it extended a long docking collar to one of the Battlestar's largest external airlocks which magnetically attached itself to the hull and then pressurized. Galatica's security waited beside the airlock's internal door and within a few minutes they heard a knock on the outer one. It opened and they watched twenty-two individuals enter. All were wearing either spacesuits or armor which vaguely resembled Cylon Centurions. The inner door opened, connecting to a large hastily setup series of isolation chambers.

The first though the door were Zac and Apollo followed by a nonhuman that walked on four legs. It was then followed by two others that walked on two legs with long horns. Each group was directed into rooms with several Colonial Doctors in isolation suits. After the door shut Jasmine immediately removed her spacesuit.

"So I have examined Apollo and Zac and they have a 20,000 year genetic drift from the humans of my world and 100,000 years from the ones from Earth."

"You're a doctor!" the first Colonial doctor said.

"Earth!" the second one exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm a doctor and we do have a few humans with us from Earth too," she said and smiled. "All the other humans with us are descendants of humans from a planet called Kobol."

"Kobol!" they both said simultaneously.

"So you've heard of it."

"Jasmine," Jesse said and sighed. "Remember we're supposed to make a good impression."

"Kobol is where human life originated," one of the humans said.

"The human species originated on Earth or Erde-Tyrene as it was called at the time of Forerunners."

"But..." one of Colonial doctor began.

"Fossilized human remains two million years old have been found on Earth."

Both Jesse and his sister, Jean, sighed. This was going a long session, they both thought.

Commander Adama felt his jaw drop as the Admiral stepped out of her armor. She was a Rabbit!

"Adama, what has been reported from the colonies?" Adar asked, concerned.

"Sir, our ships have reported that they did thwart the Cylons' attack on the colonies," he said and his eye drifted back to their doctors examining her and a Fox who was Captain of the Zootopia II and her husband, "and they've captured twenty baseships intact."

"Captured!" he said, leaning closer to Adama. "How is that possible?"

"Sir, I have no idea, but we'll have to wait until our doctors finish their exams and tests."

After an excruciatingly long four hours the doctors grudging released their guests. Adama, Adar, and several others entered the conference room to be met by Apollo and Zac.

"Father!" Zac said and hugged him.

Adama glanced at his other son who was trying best not to laugh.

"Come on Zac," Apollo said and finally chuckled. "Father... Commander Adama needs to speak to our guests."

"A display of human filial affection," Jasmine said from behind them in their language. "I've done an extensive study of humans in the last few years. Your species is quite adaptable and versatile. The only species that rivals you are the Huragok."

Adama looked at his sons and them back to the alien.

"Father, this is Jasmine," Zac said and put on her shoulder, "and as you may have guessed she's a doctor. Also, she's the only one that speaks our language."

"I have a penchant for learning languages, but there are actually others," Jasmine said and rose up, looking Adama eye to eye, "but I'll let Mary explain that."

"President Adar, Commander Adama, I'm Admiral Renard," the Rabbit said and extended a hand.

Jasmine translated as did other individuals' pads.

Adar took it first and then did Adama. They sat facing each other.

"I must thank you for helping us with the Cylons here and in the colonies," Adar said.

"Our original mission was to find the humans here in the Greater Magellanic Cloud and then after learning the Cylons' plans to stop them from committing genocide," she said and smiled. "Also, your war with the Cylons is now over because we've taken control of entire Cylon Empire."

After the meeting Adar returned to the colonies with nine other battlestars and left the other three here to rescue downed pilots and of course it wasn't explicated said, but to keep an eye on their saviors. What could Adar possibility be thinking!? Adama thought. These people had just saved them and colonies from certain defeat and destruction. He sat back in his chair and stared out at the stars. Later his door chimed.

"Enter!"

It opened and Mary entered with his sons, Starbuck, and several other Animals and humans. For a moment he wondered if he'd ever get use to seeing animals like they'd in the colonies walking upright and talking.

"Admiral, please have seat."

"Please let's dispense with ranks and just call me Mary," she said and smiled.

"Or course, Mary."

"Adar left so abruptly that I thought that our meeting might have scared him off or did he think we might just run off with the planets themselves."

They both laughed and after a moment the others joined them.

"He just thought he needed to reassure the people."

Starbuck snorted.

"Do you wish say anything Lieutenant?" Adama asked

"No sir."

"Especially with large alien and Cylon ships hovering over them," Mary said and looked at Starbuck. "He's been quite informative."

Adama sighed.

"Very perceptive Admir... Mary."

"And he left you here to keep an eye on the 'aliens.'"

Adama looked at the Lieutenant and he glanced at the Rabbit.

"You're quite right, Commander," Starbuck said and grinned. "Mary's quite perceptive."

Adama made a face and a moment later his comm buzzed. He touched the button.

"Commander Adama," Tigh said formally, "one of those slipspace windows is opening off the port side. Please come to the bridge."

He stood and Mary stepped closer.

"Your surprise as arrived," she said and winked.

Just as they entered the bridge a Keyship came through towing a battlestar.

"What ship is that?" Adama asked.

"One moment Commander," Tigh said.

"It's the Pegasus," Mary said and Adama looked more intently at the ships.

"Cain."

Adama and the others entered the landing bay just as the shuttle from the Pegasus touched down.

"This should be interesting," Apollo said, knowing of Cain's reputation.

Adama looked at his son and only grunted. Then he heard his other son chuckle and glanced back. Zac looked away, cleared this throat, and then coughed. Starbuck only smiled. Adama turned back to the shuttle and saw his old friend step onto the deck. Then he stepped toward Cain and extended a hand.

"Adama, you old war daggit!"

"Cain, the Lords of Kobol bless you!" Adama said and both men embraced. "You have no idea how I feel at this moment."

"Me too, Adama," he said and smiled, raising his baton. "Me too."

Neither man had seen the quadruped step up beside them.

"A male bonding ritual," Jasmine said, observing the two humans now surprised faces. "I've always found the study of humans fascinating."

"I see the aliens are here too."

Jasmine rose up on her hind feet a stared at Cain and he returned it. Mary sighed and stepped beside Jasmine.

"Commander Cain, I'm Admiral Mary Elizabeth Renard the commander of the 'alien' fleet," she said and Cain turned his attention to her.

"You're a Rabbit!" he said and cocked his head.

"And proud of it!" she said and smiled.

Cain looked at her for a moment and then started to laugh. He leaned against his friend and pounded his shoulder. Then Adama joined him. Jasmine watched the two humans for a few moments and shook her head.

"Sometimes I think all humans are insane."

Then everyone broke into laugher. Well almost everyone except the green armored giant standing behind the crowd. For once the Spartan agreed with the small alien.

Over the next three days they finished rescuing all the pilots and collecting the dead. Fortunately the UNSC fighters were much more advanced with Forerunner upgrades and by the time the Colonial forces involved themselves in the fighting most of the Cylon Raiders had been destroyed. So the number of dead and wounded was relatively light. If one of the pilots was found alive he or she had an excellent chance of recovery on the Keyships. Adama and Cain watched from Adama's office the other two Battlestars leave after being ordered to return to the colonies by President Adar.

"So Adama what did you do to piss off Adar?"

"I was right."

Cain nodded and sat back in his chair.

"That usually does it."

Adama smiled.

"What about you?"

"And I'm just inconvenient," he said and grinned back at his friend. "The war is over and he doesn't need a 'Living Legend' hanging around the colonies."

"You're modest, but also right."

Both men laughed and Adama brought out the Ambrosia. Then they sat around for a while telling old war stories and having a few drinks. Then the door chimed.

"Enter!" Adama said.

Mary did and looked at both men and then at the bottle resting on Adama's desk.

"Would you like a drink?" Cain said, holding up the bottle.

"Yes, I think I would."

"Please sit," Adama said and found another glass.

He poured her one and then sat back and looked at her.

"So I guess you're wondering why I'm here."

"In a word yes," Adama said and smiled.

"First, I'd to invite you and some of you crews to my ship," she said and then took a sip of her drink and looked at the glass. "Very tasty." She smiled and held up her glass. "I think we should take some of this along."

Adama gathered a hundred of his off duty officers and enlisted men and women and then they crossed through the docking collar to the Zootopia II. Adama's crew stared at Animals and different alien species as they boarded the internal shuttles.

"Cain, we'll make a stop at the landing bay and pickup your crew," Mary said and turned to Adama. "I thought your people had met other nonhumans before."

"We have, but over the course of the war the Cylons have destroyed most of them," he said and looked that some of the Zootopia II's crew riding with them. "When we could we did evacuate some of them to the colonies, but they do tend to live in isolation. Of course seeing walking and talking Animals is a new experience."

"The humans we found on the other habitable world in our solar system were much same at first," she said and patted Adama's arm.

After ten minutes the shuttle stopped and Cain's crew joined them along with more of the Zootopia II's crew. As the shuttle slowed Mary indicated that this was their stop. They followed and soon found themselves standing before unassuming door. Mary opened it.

"After you gentlemen."

Adama and Cain watched their crews wondering around the garden while others only sat under the trees and relaxed.

"All your ships have these gardens," Adama asked.

"Yes, crew may come here on their off duty time and spend as much time as they like," she said, plucking some of the grass and eating it. She smiled at expressions on the humans faces. "Gentlemen, I am a Rabbit." Both of them laughed. "A large percentage of our crews are herbivores and these gardens are like home for them." She leaned closer. "Some of them even remove their clothing when come here."

Both men chuckled and then relaxed. Later Adama's communicator beeped.

"Commander, another slipspace window is opening off the Zootopia II," Tigh reported and Adama looked at Mary. "Thank you Colonel."

"Another surprise for you," she said and smiled.

"What could it be this time?" Cain said.

"You'll soon see," she said and munched on some more grass.

Half an hour later the door opened and both he and Cain stood, shocked.

"Those are... it's impossible!" Adama exclaimed. "They're all dead!"

"We found them on the Cylon homeworld."

"Flesh and blood Cylons," Cain whispered.

"We found 21,218 of them and that's our thousand."

"Your thousand?" Adama said.

"They requested that we take them with us."

"Take them with you," Cain repeated.

"The Cylon homeworld is almost uninhabitable and we offered and they accepted," Mary said, her ears coming up. "We are taking them back with us to our galaxy."

"You're leaving!" Cain said.

"This ship and nineteen others are, but the rest are remaining here to do a bit of exploring," she said and her eyes twinkled, "and to keep an eye on President Adar." Both men smiled. "And you're coming with us."

"What!" Both Adama and Cain said simultaneously.

"You'll be getting your orders in a few days."

"Adar," Cain growled.

"Your families may also come if they wish."

Their orders did come through just as Mary had predicted and within the week the first few ships bearing crew's families arrived. Adama and Cain watched over the next several days as the landing bays were removed from their respective battlestars and the remainder was loaded into two Keyships modified to carry them. Then the landing bays were attached to the Keyships outer hulls.

"I don't know why agreed to this," Cain said still annoyed.

"Mostly cause its 151,218 light years to the Zootopia system," Adama said and smiled at the look on his friend's face.

"I just hope they can put them back together!"

"We can," Mary said, coming up behind them. They both turned and Mary smiled. "We'll even make some improvements."

"Such as," Cain said.

"Cain," Adama said and sighed.

"Adama, you both have a right to know," she said and sat. "First are copies of our slipspace engines. You'll have the two fastest Battlestars in your fleet and will be able to travel the 151, 218 light years in only 58 days."

"That's..." Adama began, doing the calculation in his head.

"950,000 times the speed of light approximately," Cain said and then chuckled at his friend's surprised face.

"That seems fast," Mary said, surprised herself, "but it would still take almost three years to get to closest large galaxy from here."

"917 days," Cain said.

The other two laughed.

"Better armor and electromagnetic shields."

"Weapons?" Cain asked.

"You're battlestars won't be a Keyships, but they'll be more capable in that respect than any ship in the Colonial fleet."

"Sounds interesting," Cain said and smiled.

"We'll even modify and upgrade your Vipers to be as capable as ours," Mary said and winked. "And all the work will be completed by the time we reach Zootopia."

Cain's smile widened.

By the end of the month the return fleet had assembled and other 86 Keyships had established twelve bases across the Greater Magellanic Cloud.

"I'll bet Adar is pissed that the UNSC setup a base only 22 light years from the colonies," Cain said and chuckled.

"And have started active recruiting in the colonies," Adama said.

Both men laughed.

"Just wait to the follow along fleet shows up with several dozen new alien races," Mary said and winked, "and begins to setup colonies."

"Adar will probably have a stoke," Cain said and chuckled. "It would almost be almost worth it to stay and watch." They both looked at him. "But I wouldn't miss seeing your world and Earth."

"Time to get to the bridge," Mary said and took Adama's arm.

When the door opened a woman stood there and first looked at Adama and then Mary.

"Ila," Adama said and attempted to extricate his arm, but Mary held on, "I didn't know..."

"Adama, I see you're making friends with the aliens," his wife said and then looked at the other man. "I see Cain's here too."

"Ila, you're more beautiful every time I see you," Cain said, giving her his best smile.

"I guess that line that only works on the younger women you usually prefer," she said and looked at the Rabbit. "I hope you've been keeping a eye on him."

"Oh, I let my husband do that sort of thing."

"Smart bunny," Ila said and smiled. "I want to see this slipspace that I've read about."

She released Adama and Ila walked beside the Rabbit.

"I think they had that all planned," Cain said and smiled.

Adama rolled his eyes and then followed.

Ila watched as each of the Keyships disappeared into their slipspace portals and felt nothing as their ship did also.

"That's it?" she said, turning to the ship's Captain.

"Yes ma'am," Richard said and smiled.

She too smiled at the handsome Fox and had to stop herself from touching him. Mary looked at the two of them and then smiled herself.

"Well I think it's time for dinner," Mary said and took her husband's arm. She led them to Admiral's dining room which she'd never used until now. "I think you know almost everyone." Cain sat beside his daughter, Sheba, while Apollo, Zac, and Athena joined their parents. "We seem to be missing someone."

A few seconds later the door opened and Starbuck walked through still buttoning his jacket.

"Sorry sir," he said, looking at Adama.

"Lieutenant, glad you could make it."

"Well I got a bit lost," he said and shrugged. "This ship's a bit bigger than the Galactica."

He sat beside Athena and smiled at her. She rolled her eyes and then returned his smile.

"Didn't you follow the map on your pad?" the Admiral asked.

"Yes Ma'am, but when I got on the right shuttle, but it was going the wrong way," he said and shrugged again. "When I figured that out I asked the only other person on the shuttle. I showed her my pad and she insisted on showing me how to get here. I wanted her to come in, but guards wouldn't let her. They said her name wasn't on the list and I tried to explain, but they said no."

Mary and Richard rose and disappeared through the door. A minute later they returned with a female skunk.

"Admiral, Captain, I..."

Richard raised a hand silencing her.

"Please have a seat," he said and of course the only one vacant was beside Starbuck.

She looked around the table and smiled. She first looked at Starbuck and then at the human female beside him. He looked at Athena and winked.

"This is Athena."

"Is she you mate?"

"Well not yet," he replied and felt Adama's daughter squeeze his hand.

Only when he heard Ila clear her throat did her realize what he'd just implied.

"Well, I guess Hades must have frozen over," she said and smiled at the expression on the Lieutenant's face. Then she looked at the Skunk. "What is your name, dear?"

Starbuck's pad translated.

"Rose, Ma'am," she said and Ila smiled.

"What do you do?"

"I'm currently working on the ship we found between galaxies."

"Not by yourself," Ila said and the Skunk giggled.

"No ma'am, we have other Animals, humans, and Huragok, of course."

"What's a Huragok?"

Rose brought out her pad, quickly pulled up a picture, and handed it to Ila. She frowned, cocked her hard, and looked at the skunk.

"We call them engineers," she said and smiled. "They can fix anything and after they do it usually works better than it did before."

"I'd forgotten all about that ship," Mary said and looked at Adama. "I think you and Cain should find it interesting and of course everyone else is invited too. After dinner I'm sure Rose would give us a tour."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Adama and Cain both looked at the ancient ship with a critical eye.

"Looks like one in those old books you where always reading at the Academy," Cain said and chuckled.

Adama continued to stare at the ship still silent for a time.

"It does," he said and looked at the Admiral. "So you found it between the galaxies."

"Only by sheer luck," Mary said, remembering. "We'd just come out of slipspace and one of the probes detected it."

"The starship found on my planet is much like this one, but far older," Jasmine said and stepped onto the gangway. "Let's go have a look." Rose looked at the Admiral and rolled her eyes as they followed. "The crew apparently died of some type of disease and over the millennia their bodies had turned to dust. We know now they were humans."

"The ship was fairly well preserved after being in space for 5,287 years," Rose said and smiled at the look in Jasmine's face after being interrupted. "Its computers show that it left from the planet Kobol and was on its way to our galaxy."

They entered the ship and a metal ball floated into the room and stopped before them.

"Greetings Commanders Adama and Cain," it said in their language, "I'm 777 Serious Contemplation, Fleet AI."

Mary had told them that her fleet had AIs, but it was one thing to know it and entirely another to actually see it. Both men took a step back.

"Is it like the Cylons?" Ila asked her husband, touching his arm.

"The basic silver centurions are dumb AIs which can only followed orders," it began. "The gold centurions were also dumb AIs, but able of give orders and devise strategies. The IL-series Cylon is truly sapient and sentient as is the Imperious Leader."

"The Imperious Leader!" Adama said.

"We Forerunner AIs are far superior to the Cylons and took control of their empire and placed them directly under the Admiral's command." Both men looked at the Admiral and she shrugged. "While rewriting their operating system we've found several interesting things. Someone actually modified their original operating system so that their core directive was changed to destroy all organic life. Another was that humanity was to be destroyed first."

"Adama, who would do this?" Cain asked.

"I doubt it was the Cylons," he said and looked at the Forerunner AI. "I mean the organic ones. I also wonder why that kept them alive."

"We do not know either, but we're still investigating," it said and drifted further back into the ship.

"I also wonder why that kept them, the organic Cylons, alive," Cain said.

"To have at least a baseline of organic life," it said. "That's what we discovered in their programming."

"Let's..." both Jasmine and Rose said at the same time.

They glared at each other and the Admiral noticed the skunk's musk grow just bit more noticeable. The two Gazelles stepped beside their friend.

"Let's ALL take a deep breath and then take a look at the ship," Jean said, only then realizing what she'd said, chuckled. "Follow me."

Mary knew that fifty-eight days in slipspace without a break would be hard the crews. So she decided to make two stops each lasting seven days. The twenty Keyships came back into real space a light year above and ahead of the four yellow dwarf stars.

"It reminds me of the colonies," Adama said, looking out the viewport.

"But I'll bet they have a much more spectacular night sky," Ila said and hugged her husband. "It's kinda nice to be alone."

"We're not exactly alone."

She gave him a playful swat.

"It was nice of Mary to let use this ship and its crew," she said and smiled, "so you can do a bit of exploring."

"It was."

"I noticed you were getting a bit restless," she said and he looked at her. "Not being in command." She smiled. "Maybe I should've gone along with you years ago." He frowned. "I think I'd of made a great Colonial Warrior."

"And maybe you still could be," he said and one of her eyebrows rose.

"Would I be under your command?"

"Oh definitely," he said and pulled her into his arms. "And remember you'll have to follow all my orders!"

"Yes sir," she said and he put his lips to hers.

Apollo, Starbuck, and Zac were had the time of their lives testing their newly modified Vipers over the last two days. Now that they'd finished they wanted to visit each of the inhabited planets.

"Those Huragok are amazing!" Zac said as the Zootopia II quickly turned from a starship to just a point of light in the darkness. "One of them even modified my blaster and now it fits my hand perfectly."

"They certainly don't look like any of the other non-humans we've met," Apollo said, "but a heck of lot more capable."

"True," Zac said.

"So which planet shall visit first?" Starbuck said, interrupting. "I wonder if they have gambling chancelleries."

Both Apollo and Zac laughed.

"Let's go the Draco homeworld," Apollo said and punched in the destination on his computer. Then he shared its results to the other two vipers. "Everyone ready."

"Let's do it!" Zac said and a slipspace window opened.

They entered and almost instantly arrived three million miles from the planet.

"We are receiving a message from traffic control," Apollo's ship's AI reported after several minutes. "I'll translate. Please identify yourselves."

"We are Colonial Vipers from the Zootopia II on a visit," Apollo replied.

"They're using radio so at this distance there will be a time lag," the AI said and waited. "They've responded. Power down your weapons and we will send directions to our orbiting station."

"Please acknowledge," Apollo said and AI complied.

"I've powered down our weapons as have the AIs on the Zac's and Starbuck's Vipers," it said and waited. "Directions received. Do you wish me to fly this ship to the station?"

"We'll fly manually," Apollo said and took the stick.

The AI projected the course on his display and thirty minutes later the station filled their viewports.

"Another message received," it said. "Follow the lights to the airlock."

They led them a quarter of the way around the station and then stopped. A portion of the hull slid open and they used only their thrusters to enter. The outer doors closed and their instruments showed a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen filling the space. After ten minutes the inner doors opened and they saw dozens of ships docked on the floor and walls. Then a small ship approached.

"We are receiving a message," the AI said and then translated. "Please follow us"

Ten minutes later they settled to the floor near the rear wall. They opened their canopies and removed their helmets. The Draco ship's hatch opened and the aliens step out.

"Leave your blasters in the Vipers," Apollo commanded.

"Apollo," both said simultaneously.

"These people are allies," he said and put his sidearm under his seat.

He collected his bag and climbed down, dropping lightly to the deck. A few moments later he heard the other two do the same. Two Draco awaited them.

"I'm Captain Apollo," he said and then indicated his companions each in turn, "and this is Lieutenant Starbuck and Lieutenant Zac."

His pad's AI translated.

"You wish to visit our planet," the taller one said and then looked at his pad. "May I see that device?"

Apollo handed it over and the Draco looked it over and then spoke. The AI responded. Then he handed it to his companion who began a conversation with it.

"Is there a problem?" Apollo asked.

"No," the second Draco said and stepped closer. "Could you get us some of these?"

"How many could you use?" Starbuck said, stepping passed him, and then turned back and winked at his best friend.

"Maybe a hundred to start," she said and touched the pad with one finger, "with the same capabilities as this one."

"A hundred," Starbuck said and smile grew wider. "How would you pay?"

"Starbuck!" Apollo said and his best friend waved him off.

The Draco fished out a handful of metal disks and handed them to Starbuck. He weighed them in his hand and looked the Draco in the eye.

"Gold," he said and his eyes twinkled. "How many of these per pad?"

"Ten."

Starbuck counted out ten and weighed them in his other hand.

"Let's talk," he said and walked with Zac and the two Draco toward the exit.

Apollo sighed and followed. Then he thought this would be one of 'those' days.

For a time Sheba watched her father pace the command deck of their borrowed ship and then she finally went to him.

"Father, can we talk?"

Cain looked at his daughter and thumped his baton into his palm.

"We are on duty."

"Commander Cain, can we talk?"

Cain couldn't help himself and smiled.

"About?"

She stepped closer.

"Fa... Commander, I know you better than anyone and also know when something is bothering you," she said and touched his arm. "So can we talk as father and daughter?"

"You looked like you mother just now," he said and watched her smile. "I suppose we can break discipline just this once."

"So."

"Let go in my office," he said and looked at his XO. "You have the bridge."

They walked in and sat at his desk and Sheba took a seat across from him.

"So what's bothering you?"

Cain leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling for a time, and then suddenly sat forward.

"It's just..."

"all too easy," she finished for him.

He looked at her for a moment and then laughed.

"Only your mother was allowed to read my mind!"

Sheba laughed.

"I guess I inherited all the good genes."

"All you mother's."

"And a lot of yours too."

He looked at her and she tried not to see him wipe a tear of his eye.

"We fight the Cylons for a thousand years and they defeat them in a day," he said and struck his palm with his baton repeatedly, emphasizing each word.

"Father, their AIs were simply more sophisticated and apparently they were able to bypass the Cylon's safeguards," she said and smiled. "Father, you already know all this!"

"You're right," he said, "but I still think there's more!"

"Father, they came 151,000 light years to find us!" she exclaimed. "And by the Lords of Kobol when they found the Cylons where going to destroy us and then they went out of their way to save us!"

"But they didn't destroy the Cylons!"

"So is that what's really bothering you?" she asked. "That the great Commander Cain couldn't destroy the Cylon's himself." She smiled and Cain felt his face grow warm. "Father, are you blushing?"

"No!"

Sheba laughed and then leaned across the desk and kissed his cheek.

"See you at supper."

He watched her go and smiled. She was more like her mother than he'd first thought. Then he leaned back in his chair, remembering her.

John dodged her attack and smiled. Cortana's training was progressing quite well, he thought and dodged another attack. He took a moment to move closer, catching her elbow, tossed her over his shoulder. She landed lightly and then was on her feet facing him. He smiled again and she made a face.

"Why don't stop now and have lunch," he said and tossed her a towel.

She caught it and wiped her face and arms as they walked toward the showers. They found two unoccupied stalls and quickly finished.

"You're getting better," he said and they walked toward the mess hall. "You almost hit me twice."

"From anyone else I'd think they were bragging," she said and chuckled.

"That was compliment," he said and stopped.

"You're getting better," she said and took his arm.

"Better?" he asked, puzzled, but she only smiled.

They went through the serving line and found an empty table in back of the room. John had been quieter than usual and that was saying something.

"Something wrong?" Cortana asked.

He took another bite and then turned to her.

"We came out here to find these humans and when we found they were going to be attacked by the Cylons then we went to save them, but..."

"We Spartans weren't really involved," Cortana said and smiled. "John are you disappointed that we didn't get to fight them?" He didn't answer and just took another bite. She hugged him. "Who knows maybe when we get back and meet up with the Fleet in UNSC space we'll find something interesting to do."

"So how is everyone doing?" she asked her Fox.

"Well they're all keeping themselves entertained," Richard said and smiled.

"How?"

"I think Adama is a bit more of explorer than a soldier," he said and activated the screen, showing his travels. "He's visited each of the habitable planets in the four systems and has invited some of the inhabitants to visit his ship. Some seem to have even expressed an interest in joining his crew."

"Adama does seem to be able to inspire people to follow him."

"Cain?"

"He isn't actually visiting each planet, but it's like more he's just gathering intelligence."

"He is a soldier," she said and chuckled.

"Everyone else is either relaxing here or one of the planets."

"We still have a couple of more days," she said and raised an eyebrow. "What would you like to do?"

He grinned at his bunny.

"I know of a little cabin on the beach on the Draco homeworld."

Nobody complained that they left a couple of days behind schedule.

Vice Admiral Judith Laverne Wilde took her place beside Nicholas Piberius Wilde, Captain of the Dark Star II, and watched the main screen as 1,004 slipspace portals opened. Over the next two minutes 1,003 of those Keyships entered and portals disappeared. The Dark Star II was the last to enter and three days, sixteen hours, thirty-two minutes, and four-three seconds later it reentered real space above the plane of the ecliptic and just beyond the system's Oort cloud.

"Admiral, we are receiving the 'I'm alive' signal from each of the other Keyships," the communications tech reported, "Our ship's AI reports they all have reached their initial destinations."

"Thank you," she said and turned to ship's science officer. "Tell us about this system."

"The Urs–Fied–Joori system consists of three stars – Urs being the one that the others, Fied and Joori, orbit. Besides the two stars Urs is also orbited by a system of seven planets, of which the Sangheili homeworld, Sanghelios, is the fourth. Sanghelios is just within the habitable zone and its day is four and half hours longer than Earth and our world and its year is almost half again as long. It has two natural satellites, Qikost and Suban."

"As we discussed ready twenty of our stealth probes."

"Yes, Admiral," he said and twenty seconds later she felt the first of them launch.

After the last probe reached its assigned position he turned to the Admiral.

"Ma'am, we are receiving data from all probes," he reported.

"They haven't been detected?"

"No ma'am."

"How many ships are currently in system?" Captain Wilde asked.

"Seven-nine," the Science Officer said and studied his displays. "Thirty-seven are large cargo ships, twenty-two are in-system passenger ships, and the other forty are different classes of military ships."

"Ma'am the AIs monitoring the communications traffic we're receiving from the probes believe a civil war may be imminent," the communications tech said.

"Do they have an estimate on when it will begin?"

"Ma'am, six to nine months they say."

"Navigator, take us to our next destination," the Captain ordered.

The Admiral and the Captain of the Zootopia II were seated at their usually places on the bridge when they dropped out of slipspace. The two humans looked at the megastructure in awe.

"Adama, Cain, that is Shield World 1723," the Admiral said, pointing to the screen. "It encompasses this system's main star and its inner surface area is approximately 550 million times the surface area of Caprica, Zootopia, or Earth and its inner surface habitable and inhabited. We could settle the entire populations of every known species on the inner surface and still have only used only two percent of it. The humans from Earth call this structure a Dyson's Sphere."

"And this is where these Keyships were found," Adama said.

"And the Forerunner AIs, more Huragok, and many new intelligent species."

"Admiral, we're receiving a message from the Shield World," the Communications Tech reported.

"Put it on the main screen," she said and image of 2742 Vibrant Contemplation appeared.

"Admiral Renard, I see you've returned and brought the human representatives from the Greater Magellanic Cloud," it said.

"We represent the Twelve Colonies of Kobol," Adama said and unconsciously stepped closer to the screen, "and we look forward to meeting you and seeing your world."

"Kobol was the other world where the Forerunners had seeded humanity after they fired the Halos and destroyed the Flood."

"Jasmine said humans originated on Earth," Cain said.

"And she is correct," it said. "Admiral, please bring your ships in and we'll help assemble the human's Battlestars."

"Of course," she said and main screen reverted back to the image of the Shield World.

"Navigator, please take us in."

They docked the twenty Keyships and the Huragok and Forerunner AIs descended on them in mass. The two with the Galactica and Pegasus received special attention as the human starships were removed and the work was begun to reattach their landing bays.

"We've decided to begin moving our crews back to our Battlestars beginning tomorrow," Adama said and Cain nodded. "2742 Vibrant Contemplation told us that the work on them will be completed in three days."

"Then we'll leave for Zootopia in a ten days," Mary said.

"Why the extra time?" Cain asked. "I mean besides testing our battlestars new systems."

"Well I thought everyone might want to look around the Shield World," she said and smiled. "I haven't even had a chance to see it myself and from what I've read there are a number of interesting species living here."

"Ma'am 2742 Vibrant Contemplation has informed us that a group of ships from Zootopia have arrived," the Communications Tech reported, "and that they'll be docking in the next twenty minutes."

Both Adama and Cain looked at her.

"I have no idea," she said and shrugged. "Please contact them."

"Yes ma'am."

"Can you tell what type of ships they are?" she asked, turning to her Science Officer.

He bent over his screen for ten seconds.

"They've just passed through the air lock," he said, "and there are seven ships – two keyships, three UNSC ships of various classes, one passenger ship, and one Ris ship."

"Tourists," Mary said and sighed.

"So this is the final Sangheili colony world," Admiral Wilde said, looking at the main screen which displayed a picture from one of their stealth probes. "Out of the bunch this one looks the most like Sanghelios."

"Actually its mass is only one half a percent less than Sanghelios," he said and studied his monitor, "and the water to land percentage is identical. Even the climate is similar even with the scant data we have so far."

"Anything interesting in the communication intercepts?"

"From everything we've gathered so far on all the Sangheili worlds the rebellion is growing and will begin sooner than the AIs initially thought," he security officer said and tapped his pad. "The Arbiter's government knows something is happening, but hasn't quite put their finger on it yet."

"Too bad we can't point them in the right direction," the Admiral said and smiled.

"Ma'am, I'll speak to the AIs and we'll see what we can come up with."

"Please do," she said and turned to the Captain. "Now let's see what we can find outside UNSC and the old Covenant space."

"Navigator, let's do a bit of exploring," Nick said and smiled.

The twenty-two starships arrived outside the Zootopia system above the plane of the ecliptic, a billion miles from the Oort cloud. The nearest sentry probes acknowledged their arrival and then quickly identified them. The two battlestars were new entries in their databases and were, of course, expected. Automated greeting messages were sent and acknowledged with the correct passwords by each starship and permissions were given to proceed. Each of them opened slipspace portal and made a quick jump into the system. The starships exited slipspace ahead of the target planet and immediately begun to decelerate to match speed and eventually let the planet catch up to them.

"Adama, Cain, the fourth planet will catch up to us in sixteen hours and twenty two minutes," the Admiral said, looking at her pad. "and then we'll slip into orbit."

"The Spider planet is now the fourth planet," Richard reminded her.

"Captain, what did you say?" Cain asked.

"Sorry, it slipped my mind," Mary said and thumped her forehead, "Since we moved the Spider's planet into this system it became the fourth planet and the one trailing us is now the fifth."

"You moved a planet!" Adama and Cain both said simultaneously.

"It was being damaged by a white dwarf in a close elliptical orbit of its system primary, pulling in matter from that other star," she explained. "Apparently that matter collected on the surface of the white dwarf and then detonates, spreading radiation throughout the its original star system. 2742 Vibrant Contemplation sent the sending gateway to the their star system and the receiving gateway here. The Spider's planet simply passed though and exited the receiving gateway in this system, becoming planet four."

Both men simply stared back slack jawed.

"I think that's exactly how we looked when the Forerunner AI explained it to us," Richard said and the Admiral laughed.

As predicted the planet caught up and with just bit of thrust the twenty-two starships achieved orbit. Several hours later three other ships arrived to help shuttle down the organic Cylons and others who wished to visit the planet. Of course it wasn't just the people, but the newly arrived ships also brought supplies to setup the new Cylon colony. Mary's shuttle set down at the new spaceport just outside the city and was soon followed by one from each Battlestar.

"Good trip down?" she asked and both men acknowledged. Other people from all three shuttles gather around to wait. "Looks like you brought along everyone."

"Just some family and friends," Adama said and smiled. "Others went to see different parts of the planet."

"Our transport to the city will be here soon and we've three guest houses reserved for us," Richard said and looked at Ila. "So have you ever been on a world outside the twelve colonies?"

"With the war and Adama off fighting the Cylons we never did, but now of course maybe we can have some time to go exploring," she said and hugged her husband. "We'll just have to see how things go."

"Here's our transports," Richard said as they came around one of the hangers.

The ride to the city only took thirty minutes and another thirty to get settled into their rooms. Afterwards they met outside and Lynne and Kurt lead them on a walking tour of the city. As the sun dropped toward the horizon the tour ended at a familiar restaurant. For such a large group they'd made reservations and filled over half the tables.

Everyone was seated and six waiters came to distribute menus (most having been translated into the Colonial language) and taking drink orders (Personal pads translating). Lynne looked at the large curtain covering the wall behind her and smiled. The waiters returned with the drinks and began to take orders. When they'd finished the human manager entered and stood just inside the door. Lynne nodded to him.

"My guests this is what makes our restaurant unique on our planet," he said in his language, Lynne translating.

He touched a button on the wall and the curtain rose into the ceiling. The ship that had brought the humans to this world was revealed and most of people rose to take a closer look. Of course, Adama and Cain were among the first to the window. The two men looked at each other and smiled. They both new a warship when they saw one.

"Looks somewhat like the one in the Zootopia II's landing bay," Lynne said and smiled.

"It does, but of a much older design," Adama said.

"The thirteenth tribe," Cain suggested.

"There would've been a lot more than this one ship," Adama said, turning to his friend.

"Who knows maybe they got lost, the ship was damaged, or they just decided to stay here," Cain offered and then shrugged.

"We think the other ship was on a mission to find Earth too," Mary said. "You can go aboard after supper if you'd like."

But of course afterwards everyone did.

After everyone had left Adama remained, sitting in the command chair on the main bridge. Ila stood behind him with her hands resting on his shoulders.

"So," she said and sat on arm of chair.

"So," he said, continuing to stare at the main screen which showed varying star fields.

Ila slid onto Adama's lap and lay her head on his shoulder. He put an arm around her and smiled.

"Well this is different," he said and ran a hand along her body until it rest on her hip.

"You've never had a beautiful woman in your lap?"

"Yes, but never on the command deck of a warship."

She chuckled.

"You know Mary said we have a week or so before we leave."

"Yes," he said and patted her hip. "So what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I'd think I'd like to see more of this planet and the other one too," she said and rubbed her cheek against his. "Zootopia sounds like interesting place. You know we're never had a second honeymoon."

"We hardly had a first," he said and then kissed her.

"You sure you haven't done this before?" she asked later.

"Positive."

"Don't you just love first contacts?" Judy said, relaxing on the couch.

"Yes, especially when they don't start shooting at us," her Fox said and sat down beside her.

"You know that's never happened!" she said and poked him in the ribs.

"You remember that time..."

"That was your fault!"

"I didn't look at her!"

"You horny old Fox you look at every female!"

He began to tickle her and soon enough they were rolling around on the floor laughing like loons. Then they both the sound a priority message and stopped. They looked at each other for a moment and then scrambled for their pads. They read and looked at each other again. The AIs had been wrong - the Sangheili civil war had begun.

Mary and her Fox had just drifted off to sleep when the alerts sounded on their respective pads. She turned on the light and grabbed hers, quickly reading the message. Then she glanced at Richard and he was doing much the same.

"So I guess we'll be leaving in what - three days," he said and lay back in bed.

"Yea, but let's get a good night's sleep first," she said and tapped a response.

The next morning at 9am sharp the crews of the Zootopia II, the Galactica, and the Pegasus were recalled. For the next three days the starships were readied and restocked for the voyage to Admiral Wilde's fleet. The crew of the Zootopia II was given option to be reassigned to other duties and over ninety-eight percent volunteered to remain. On the two Battlestars the crews were also given the same options and not one elected to stay. Even the crew's families wished to travel with them and another Keyship was made available with some hurried modifications. Even a few Cylons wished to go.

Adama and Ila watched from the command deck as the Slipspace portals opened and first the other three starships vanished. Then they entered.

"It's utterly black," Zac said in awe.

"We have done this before," Apollo reminded him and patted his younger brother's shoulder.

"And just think we'll travel the 10,000 light years in under four days!" Zac said.

"And little brother we'll be the first to see Earth," Athena said and put a arm around him, "and meet the humans of the thirteenth tribe."

"I wonder if they have gambling chancelleries," Starbuck said and Athena giggled.

Adama and his wife turned and looked at the group.

"He never changes," Ila said and smiled. "Should we really let him marry our daughter?"

Starbuck opened his mouth and felt his fiancée squeeze his hand hard.

"That was just a joke," he said and gave her his best smile.

"He's certainly better at it than Cain," she said and watched one of the younger man's eyebrows rise. "You almost want to believe him."

Adama chuckled.

"I'm sure you all have something to do," he said and watched them scatter.

Ila looked around the command deck.

"What would you be looking for?" he asked.

"A command chair."

Cain stood on his command deck and watched Admiral Renard's Keyship and the one carrying their families disappear. Then his battlestar entered into the pitch black of slipspace too and he turned to his daughter with a crooked smile.

"Commander, I'm guessing that you might be anticipating some action in the near future," she said and returned his smile.

"Quite possibly," he said and she chuckled. "First, I want every system on this battlestar checked and then double checked. Then we're going to run some combat drills."

"We could do that with those new virtual reality systems the Huragok installed."

Cain made a face.

"You should try it," she said and stepped closer. "It can simulate this battlestar in battle or even a fleet of them. Wouldn't interesting to fight the Cylons with a hundred battlestars?"

Cain looked at his daughter and raised an eyebrow.

John watched as the Zootopia II entered the slipstream portal and then turned back to the others sitting around the conference table.

"John, Cortana, please tell us what you think started this civil war," Admiral Renard said. "You two have fought and fought with the Sangheili. We've only read what was in the Far Star's records and what the other Spartan's have told us."

He looked at Cortana and she began.

"Most likely a segment of Sangheili population is opposed to ending of the war with humanity."

"That doesn't make any sense," Admiral Renard said.

"The Sangheili are a warrior race and to some of them a truce with humanity is too much like surrender."

"Only the Ris and Draco remind me of the Sangheili just a bit," Captain Renard said and sighed. "Maybe we should talk to them and we do have representatives of each race aboard."

"John, tell us about the Arbiter," Dr. Halsey said and looked at him with almost a motherly interest.

"He's my friend," the Spartan said and smiled, "and I fought with him many times. He had my back each and every time. He's got a strength to inspire people to follow him!"

The others smiled at him.

"That certainly sounds a person we can work with," Mary said.

On the Ris homeworld they watched the information returning from Admiral Wilde's fleet. For the first few months it was only mundane reports on the star systems they surveyed, but then there were inklings of another war brewing. Representatives of the races that Admiral Renard had discovered were visiting the Capital world and confided their concerts to the Draco and the ones they called 'the others.'

They agreed that Admiral Wilde needed help with these Sangheili and most likely the humans too. They were predators and thought they knew how the Sangheili would think.

Admiral Wilde was prey and these Sangheili would try to take advantage of that. It was simply in their predatory nature and they couldn't help themselves! They started drawing up their plans.

The four days passed quickly and came out of slipspace on time within the designated star system.

"The Far Star II is not here," the science officer said.

"Navigator?" Captain Renard said.

The woman worked her console and turned to look at the Admiral and Captain.

"This is definitely the correct system."

"Possibly Admiral Wilde is detained," he said and turned to communications officer. "Are you receiving the 'I'm alive' signal from other Keyships?"

"Yes, Captain," she said and looked at her console. "All 1,004 of the original ships plus the other three here with us in this system are responding." She looked at her console again. "The Far Star II is 2,318.78 light years away and stationary."

"Could we possibly be early?" the Captain said to no one in particular.

"We arrived within a few seconds of the specified time," the science officer said.

Captain Renard rubbed his chin.

"Command Adama would like to speak to you," communications officer interrupted and a moment later turned to the Admiral, "and now the other two would also."

"Put them on the main screen," she said.

The screen split into three, showing the faces of Adama, Cain, and Tigh.

"Gentleman, we're assuming Admiral Wilde has been delayed for some reason," Admiral Renard said. "I will contact her and then get back to you. For now you may simply wait here or you could do a bit of exploring."

"Do you have any specific orders?" Adama asked.

"There's 123 stars with thirty light years," she said and smiled. "Look around and see what you'll find. We'll be close enough to support you if necessary. Tigh, I know you're only lightly crewed and you may remain here if you wish."

"I think I'd like to do some exploring too."

"Good."

When the Admiral disconnected the connection between the three Commanders remained.

"Those are the most open ended orders I've ever received," Cain said and chuckled.

"Well where shall we go?" Adama said. "Tigh, your ship does have the best sensors."

"We could just survey this system," he began and smiled, seeing the other two men's expressions. "I'll just have my science officer take a look and get back to you."

Twenty-one minutes later Tigh's smiled face returned to their main screens.

"So you've found something interesting?"

"Yes, Adama," he said, feeling somehow odd addressing his former commanding officer by his given name. "Have a look at this!" His face was replaced by the image of a star cluster with four closely packed yellow dwarf stars. "It looks somewhat familiar."

"By the Lords of Kobol it does!" Adama said, taking a step close to the screen. "It looks just like the colonies!"

"It's very similar to Cyrannus star system," Tigh said and smiled.

"How far is it?" Cain asked.

"107.23 light years," he responded with just a bit of hesitation.

"That's just a bit further than the Admiral suggested."

"Actually she only said there were 123 stars within thirty light years, but she didn't say we had to stay within thirty light years."

Cain clapped his hands and laughed.

"He's got you there Adama!"

He did, Adama thought and then chuckled. Tigh was 'thinking outside the box' which was the mark of a good commander. He'd just passed his first test. Twenty minutes later the three starships disappeared into slipspace.

Vice-Admiral Wilde appeared on the main screen, looking concerned.

"I'm sorry we missed our rendezvous, but well, Mary, look at this!"

Then the view changed to one of a Halo floating in space.