{"id":1292,"date":"2016-02-08T07:12:37","date_gmt":"2016-02-08T13:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1292"},"modified":"2016-02-12T07:24:25","modified_gmt":"2016-02-12T13:24:25","slug":"second-face-of-evil-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1292","title":{"rendered":"Second Face of Evil – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Second Face of Evil<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Admiral John White sat waiting for the next report of what was going on in the council from his aides. He was worried about what the council might ask, and what they might want to know.\u00a0 He knew some in the council did not like the military despite the fact the human race was almost wiped out by an alien race.<\/p>\n

He wondered what exactly the council might decide to do. If the decision was up to him, he\u2019d allow the fleet to come in.\u00a0 They needed information about this new enemy, and an exchange of technology might result in even better warships.\u00a0 But some might not see it that way, and feel that if this group continued on this new threat might pass them by.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, will you please come in,\u201d a young aide to the council said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLead on,\u201d John said, looking up and wondering if the young man even remembered the invasion. John followed the aide into the council room wondering what type of knowledge the council might need from him.\u00a0 They had his reports on what happened, and his recommendation on this new human fleet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome Admiral White, thank you for joining us,\u201d President Hiller said, greeting John as he walked into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Hiller,\u201d John replied. The President was one of the few people John trusted along with Senator Mitchell.\u00a0 They were there and led humanity against the fight against the alien invaders.\u00a0 They knew what might happen by not takin any action.<\/p>\n

John took the stage wondering what type of questions the senators would ask him. He settled in and waited for the first question as a Senator was recognized.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral White, what is your opinion of the military ability of these new visitors, and do they pose a threat to us,\u201d the first question came.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen of their military, they have warships which they call battlestars. These ships are essentially large battleships, heavily armed, armored and a compliment of unknown fighters.\u00a0 Intelligence thinks they carry between fifty and one hundred fighters.\u00a0 The ships lack shielding as our warships have, but from the battle, their armor is superior,\u201d John said to them, pausing for a second.\u00a0 \u201cAs to a threat, no, however if what we\u2019ve been told about their enemies, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about their enemies, these machines called Cylons,\u201d Senator Mitchell asked bringing up the other threat.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom intelligence reports of the recent battle, and what we\u2019ve been told, they are a race of machines. They want to eliminate all organic life.\u00a0 I believe the threat they pose to our safety is high regardless if our visitors stay or not,\u201d John said giving his opinion from intelligence.<\/p>\n

Before another question could be asked an aide came rushing in and right up to John, startling several people. People shouted out at the man to stop but he ignored everyone, focused directly on John and walked up to him.\u00a0 John knew something happened and waited patiently.<\/p>\n

The aide handed him a report and waited despite the senators protesting. John unfolded the paper and scanned it a few times, his heart sinking at what he read.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre they sure?\u201d John asked, wanting conformation before saying anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d the man replied. Their voices carried by the open mic in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut the fleet on alert, cancel all leaves, and tell the chief of staff I\u2019ll be there as soon as I can,\u201d John said to him. He watched the lieutenant salute and leave before he turned back to the assemble senators.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there more of these Cylons on their way?\u201d one of the senators asked. Now John had to inform them of their biggest fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid something even worse. The listening station near Saturn picked up the messages from the invaders,\u201d John said to them, watching as they all went silent at that bit of news.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be a mistake,\u201d one senator said. \u201cThey go from place to place living of the resources of conquered planets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt never meant they were alone, or they did not have a home planet as well they returned to,\u201d John said. \u201cWhatever the situation, they are on their way here now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there an estimated time of arrival\u201d one senator asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not sure, they are outside our scanning range,\u201d he said stopping suddenly as a thought came to him. \u201cWe might ask our visitors, they have technology which might be able to see that far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we know our visitors are not part the invaders?\u201d a different senator asked. John noticed several others wondering the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they know anything about the invaders, but they would probably try to help us in a war. They are honorable.\u00a0 If we are to ask their help we should not wait too long,\u201d John told the council as the President stepped forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree with the admiral, we should ask. If they have the technology to detect ships at a long range it might give us an advantage, it might also help to tell if these ships are headed towards us or not,\u201d Hiller said to the group.<\/p>\n

The senate broke down into discussions before it was finally called for a vote.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Starbuck waited with the other five for what might happen next. Since the argument between him and Ziers they had not spoken much at all.\u00a0 Everyone sat thinking, or as Starbuck looked over at Ziers, fumed in silence over what had been said.<\/p>\n

They all looked up as the door opened and Admiral White walked into the room. Starbuck recognized the walk, a man who wanted information and needed it quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a favor to ask,\u201d he said to them, confusing Starbuck.<\/p>\n

The group looked confused for several heartbeats before Starbuck took the initiative and stepped forward. \u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo your battlestars have the ability to scan long ranges, like beyond the system?\u201d the admiral asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we do have a limited long range scanning ability,\u201d Starbuck answered, not giving away how far the battlestars could see.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d like to know if you\u2019ve picked up any ships approaching the system,\u201d the admiral said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCylons?\u201d Starbuck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d need to contact our fleet,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s no problem, we can contact them in this building, follow me,\u201d the admiral said.<\/p>\n

Starbuck looked over at Ziers and then Terrance who merely shrugged. Starbuck shared a lance with Boxey who nodded before following the admiral out of the room and down a series of hallways before reaching a massive communications room.<\/p>\n

He only had to wait a few microns from the moment John asked for communications to be established until he was seeing Tigh\u2019s face on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck, how are things going,\u201d Tigh asked, frowning on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad, but I want to ask you something for our friends,\u201d Starbuck asked. \u201cHas the Galactica, or Pegasus noticed any ships on the long range scanners?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Galactica\u2019s scanners are still under repair after the latest battle, but I\u2019ll contact Apollo and check on the Pegasus, be right back,\u201d Tigh said.<\/p>\n

Starbuck waited in silence for several microns. It seemed like everyone was on edge in the room and he had no idea why they might be that way.\u00a0 He figured it might have to do with this request.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarbuck, Apollo says the Pegasus is tracking two extremely large ships headed into the system,\u201d Tigh replied back. Starbuck felt the admiral stiffen at the news, and the whole atmosphere of the room chilled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo ships?\u2019 John asked, asking for conformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, two, according to their speed they will arrive in the system in two days,\u201d Tigh replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, things keep getting worse,\u201d the admiral mumbled to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something wrong?\u201d Tigh asked. \u201cSomething we can help with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have reason to believe that the ships you are tracking are the same aliens that attacked us twenty years ago almost wiping us out,\u201d the admiral said. Starbuck\u2019s eyebrows rose at that statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we have unfriendlies heading in to the system,\u201d Tigh said getting conformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery unfriendly,\u201d John replied back to him. \u201cAll we know is they go from planet to planet destroying any intelligent life and sucking the planet dry of is resources.\u00a0 The last time they sent only one ship, and we hoped it was the only ship they had.\u00a0 This time there are two, I had hoped we would never see them again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do to help?\u201d Tigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure yet,\u201d John replied back to him. \u201cWe\u2019re still trying to figure out what to do, hold a military council and see what they have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstood, take Starbuck with you, he knows our capabilities and how we might be able to help out,\u201d Tigh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather have him than that councilman Ziers,\u201d John said honestly causing Starbuck to smile wishing Ziers was here.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to keep the councilman, I\u2019ll allow it,\u201d Tigh said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, no, I think most of the senate wanted to toss him out the window,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s more concerned with his political power than the safety of the fleet,\u201d Tigh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that,\u201d John said, pausing to think about something else before saying anything else. \u201cI\u2019ll get back to you after we know a bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be here,\u201d Tigh said.<\/p>\n

The communications ended and Starbuck followed John back down the hallway and back to where President Hiller was waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo ships according to their scanners,\u201d John said to him. Starbuck watched as Hiller paled at the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look worried about this,\u201d Starbuck said, feeling the tension in the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are.\u201d Hiller said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre they that powerful?\u201d Starbuck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think so, against the Cylons I\u2019m not sure. We\u2019ve only encountered the Cylons once and the invaders attacked us almost twenty years ago.\u00a0 Between the two I have no idea,\u201d John said finally.\u00a0 Starbuck was worried that this group might be more powerful than the Cylons and had no idea which threat was bigger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll know a bit more in a couple of days, do you want our help?\u201d Starbuck asked. He knew the warriors on board the Galactica and Pegasus would gladly help out.\u00a0 Trained for combat they were stuck for yahrens doing nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take it one step at a time and cross that bridge when we reach it,\u201d John said, slightly confusing Starbuck but said nothing.<\/p>\n

They made their way onto the senate floor where the conversations quickly died down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I may have your attention,\u201d Hiller said calmly. \u201cWe have some news from our friends and it\u2019s not good.\u00a0 The report is there are two ships approaching our solar system.\u201d<\/p>\n

The senate erupted into mass chaos at the announcement and took several minutes to get back under control. Starbuck had a first-hand impression that these aliens terrified them.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet please,\u201d he heard the President yelling, and after a bit longer the conversations finally stopped and the admiral stepped forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have already cancelled all leaves, and according to the data the ships will not reach the system for another two days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how can we fight two, our plans were always centered around one mothership,\u201d a senator said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe adjust our battle plans,\u201d John replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have no idea how well their ships fight in space,\u201d another asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have goo intelligence based on what happened last time,\u201d another senator said, Starbuck recognized him as Mitchell.<\/p>\n

Starbuck recalled what he had been told about this group but so far had not been told much about their abilities. \u201cAre they really that strong?\u201d Starbuck finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir shields are very strong, we\u2019re not sure out shields will stand up to their weapons. We\u2019ve made improvements based on their level of technology but we have no idea if they are stronger or not,\u201d John finally replied back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fought them before, do they have long range scanning ability like we do?\u201d Starbuck asked, suddenly concerned with the fleet.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what we learned in the wreckage, they have short range scanning abilities for their saucer craft, the motherships we don\u2019t know,\u201d John said, looking at Starbuck. \u201cDo you have something in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn ambush, if they don\u2019t have your ships on scanner yet, you can hide them, five yourself the advantage,\u201d Starbuck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might just work,\u201d Hiller said, as they looked at John.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan your scanners can detect course and speed, it would give us a plan of action,\u201d John finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this plan fails we will be venerable to attack,\u201d one senator said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if we don\u2019t try for an advantage we\u2019re even worse off,\u201d John replied back to him. \u201cThis is our best course of action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starbuck could see some in the council appeared to want to argue this course of action. They were the ones who did not want to risk the ships despite that is what they were built for.\u00a0 He would wait, this was their battle to fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, organize the fleet, work with our new allies and put your fleet in a spot for an ambush. A first strike might be our only chance,\u201d Hiller said, making the decision.<\/p>\n

Starbuck walked out with the admiral wondering what the future might hold, and what this new enemy was like.<\/p>\n

End part 2<\/p>\n

Continued in part 3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Second Face of Evil by AJ Marks Part 2 Admiral John White sat waiting for the next report of what was going on in the council from his aides. He was worried about what the council might ask, and what they might want to know.\u00a0 He knew some in the council did not like the […]
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