Battlestar Galactica 5 - Galactica Discovers Earth
Page 16
"We hope so," said Troy.
"You speak as if there's a very unpleasant alternative," said Mortinson.
"There's the military," said Troy. "Most Central and South American countries, indeed most Third World nations in any part of the world, would be only too happy to accept his aid."
"I see," said Mortinson.
"However, he'll have to move very slowly and carefully," added Dillon. "He knows we'll be monitoring all major political changes, just as we'll keep tabs on all scientific breakthroughs."
"And now, my friends," said Mortinson, "I wonder if I might ask one very important question?"
"You want to know why we're here in the first place," said Troy.
"Yes."
"Doctor Mortinson, I'm going to tell you the truth, because I know I can trust you to keep silent on the subject, and because sooner or later Earth must know the truth, since Earth's very existence is at stake. Centuries ago, many millions of light-years from here, humanity went to war with the Cylon Empire. The Cylons' stated goal is the destruction of every last member of the human race, and I regret to say that so far they've done pretty much what they set out to do. Earth is not the only planet populated by humans—or, at least, it wasn't until recently. But through treachery and because of overwhelming numbers, the Cylons are winning the war." Mortinson's eyes widened as he began to feel the impact of what Troy was telling him. "While Earth dreamed on, unimaginable distances away from her sister planets, every other human colony was obliterated. We took to the spaceways, living in great space-going fortresses known as Battlestars. Once there were many of them. Now there is only one: the Galactica, which is my home. We sought Earth out not to bestow the miracles of our technology upon you, but in the hope that your technology and weaponry would be sufficient to hold the Cylons at bay. This, alas, is not the case, and I fear we have led the Cylons almost to your doorstep."
"And that's why you helped me with my formula, and why even that madman Xaviar wanted to go into the past and increase our current knowledge!"
"That is correct."
"How close are they?" asked Mortinson.
"Near Barnard's Star."
"But that's more than half a dozen light-years away!" exclaimed Mortinson.
"A hop, skip and jump," said Dillon grimly.
"I see," said Mortinson. "Pardon me if I seem to be slow on the uptake, but this is a lot of information to assimilate in one sitting."
"There will be more than one sitting," said Troy. "Our plans remain unchanged."
"You mean to bring our technology up to your level?" said Mortinson.
"At least," said Troy. "And possibly beyond it. There's no telling what an Einstein, or even a Mortinson, might be able to do with some of the information we can supply you. You'll have our help if we can count on yours."
"You can," said Mortinson, rising to his feet and earnestly taking Troy's hand in his own.
"Good," said Troy with a smile. "And now let's take a ride to your office."
"My office?" said Mortinson. "Why?"
"I began writing a formula a few weeks ago," said Troy. "I think it's time for me to complete it."
39
FROM THE ADAMA JOURNALS:
And so it has begun.
We journeyed to Earth to find an ally, and, in bits and pieces, we are forging one. With men like Doctor Mortinson working side by side with men like my grandson, I think . . . I know that we have a chance. Not a certainty, but a chance—and since we are Men, we'll make the most of it.
Somewhere nearby lurks the Cylon fleet. Somewhere, just a few thousand miles below my feet, the mad Xaviar is still trying to create an empire at the expense of our race's future.
And the Earth itself needs more than technology: it needs care, and love, and sanity. Men still fight their fellow men, nuclear weapons are stockpiled, the foolish and the frightened battle tooth and nail against progress, the atmosphere is fouler every day, the seas and rivers are polluted, and the race seems closer to the trees and oceans it came from than the stars it seeks for.
And yet there are good people among that race. There is Jamie Hamilton, who has joined our cause; there are Doctor Mortinson of America and Professor Khalinov of Russia and Rashid Tarid of Pakistan, to name just three of the scientists who are working with us; and there are men and women, hundreds of millions of them, people of good will who will adopt our cause as their own once our existence is made known to them.
So, although our enemies are within striking distance, although one of us threatens to undo our work, although Earth herself was not the salvation we had hoped for, the wheels of change and progress are in motion, and I, who should feel cheated and betrayed by Fate, am finally calm and satisfied.
For while we have not reached the Millennia, and we have not found a weapon or a people to use against the Cylons, and we have much to do to protect those whom we had hoped would protect us, yet we have set events in motion.
We have begun!
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Part 1: NOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Part 2: THEN
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Part 2: SOON
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39