Disclaimer:  Stargate is owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. Battlestar Galactica is owned by Universal City USA.

Disclaimer 2:  This story is more of a Stargate SG-1 with BSG added into it.  None of the major characters of BSG is in this story, although some are mentioned, but the BSG universe is there.  Enjoy.

 

Ancients of the Past

by

AJ Marks

 

Part 6

 

"Are you telling me that you stole it from the Asgard," Jack said not really believing what he had just heard.  "The Asguard will be able to track the ship."

 

"Perhaps, but that is the risk we must take.  Too much depends on us getting the Galactica ready for battle.  If the Asgard keep the ship then the Cylons will overrun the galaxy," Athena replied.  She had not said much during the conversation between Jack, Apollo and Ares.  Now that she had spoken up everyone looked at her.

 

"You might have asked," Jack said before he really thought about it.

 

"It seems like the Asguard were probably going to keep it Jack," Sam said from where she was standing.  She had not been aboard the ship at the time but from what she had heard she was sure that the Asguard were not going to be giving up the Galactica.

 

"That's beside the point," Jack said before he really thought about what he had just said.

 

"Actually general it isn't," Hammond said to Jack.

 

"I know, it came out before I thought about it," Jack replied.  "I just find it hard to believe that Thor would do this to us."

 

"I know sir," Sam said agreeing with Jack.  All of their encounters with the Asgard had been positive encounters until this recent one.

 

"I must agree, this does not sound like the action of Thor, but of the Asgard high council," Teal'c said from where he was standing.

 

"I gotta admit, I think Teal'c is right about that," Daniel said to the group.

 

"Well whatever," Jack replied not sure he wanted to get to deep into what this might mean just yet.  There was something else more important.  The Colonials knew where the ship was going.

 

"One question, how were you able to program the engines," Hammond asked still wondering about that as he glanced over at the colonials.

 

"You forget, we can read and write in that language," Ares said with a slight grin and glance at Aphrodite.

 

"Its always the ones you don't expect," Jonas said earning a glance from everyone causing him to defend his statement.  "Come on, we would have expected it from any of them except her."

 

Jack did not want to admit that but the more he thought about it the more he realized he should have.  Aphrodite could read the language better than anyone else.  It was something that Ares had mentioned earlier.  Now they had to figure out what to do about all of this.

 

"General," Jack said motioning Hammond over to the side with him.

 

"What's up Jack," Hammond asked wondering what was on the man's mind.

 

"What's your opinion about this," Jack asked.

 

"I think we should continue to play by their rules for the time being.  I'm not sure what we're being led into just yet but they are the closest people we have to allies aside from the Jaffa right now," Hammond replied.

 

"Then I think you would be the best to lead this mission," Jack told him.

 

Hammond thought about it for a second.  It was something he had not really done before and now he was being handed a mission though the stargate.  It seemed that the roles had been reversed somehow as the years had gone by.  He nodded his head already knowing who he was going to take.  There was only one thing that might be a sticking point.  He turned to face Apollo and Ares.

 

"Would you allow us to go with you," Hammond asked hoping that they would.

 

Ares initial answer was cut off by Apollo giving him a swift elbow to the ribs to silence him.  The two shared a glance before Apollo spoke up.

 

"We would welcome the help," Apollo said.  "Our forces at too few now to both man the Galactica and protect the stargate."

 

Ares almost growled at that statement.  He did not like having their weakness pointed out to anyone and right now he was not sure he could even trust them.  He did realize that they would require more soldiers than what they had.

 

"Hmm," Jack said as he glanced over to where there were a few Jaffa standing around in the hallway.  They were still looking for a new planet to relocate to and this just might be it.  "I have an idea."

 

"Oh great," Daniel said rolling his eyes.  It seemed that whenever Jack got an idea it affected them all.

 

"It’s not that bad," Jack said in a mock growl at Daniel.

 

"I'm listening," Sam said as she looked at Jack wondering what he had come up with this time.

 

"First off," Jack said looking around before spotting who he wanted to talk to.  "Master Bra'tac," he yelled over the Jaffa.  Bra'tac looked up and noticed that it was Jack calling over to him.  He excused himself and walked over.

 

"O'Neill, and Hammond from Texas, it is good to see you again," Bra'tac said.

 

"It's good to see you as well Master Bra'tac," Hammond replied before they turned back to Jack to see what was going on.

 

"It just so happens that we have a bunch Jaffa looking for a home," Jack said looking at Bra'tac then at Apollo and Ares.

 

"Jaffa, thought that they were loyal to your enemy," Apollo said.

 

"We do not follow false gods such as the Goa'uld," Bra'tac replied.  "But we are warriors."

 

"Ares," Athena said finally after a couple of minutes of silence.  "They are warriors, they know how to fight and right now we need that."

 

"We also would like to send some people to help if you'll let us," Hammond said.  He did not want to pressure the two men too much.

 

"Very well," Ares finally said agreeing with them.

 

"Perhaps we should only send a small group at first then see how many more we will need," Bra'tac said to everyone.

 

"That sounds like a good idea," Hammond said looking at Ares and Apollo.

 

"Agreed," Apollo said.  "Let's get on our way."

 

"Dial it up," Jack said.

 

 

 

Apollo was glad to return to his home even though it was not his original home.  This is where his people were, his friends and now the Galactica should be above them waiting for them.  One of the things that had been part of the set up process was several fighters and a couple of shuttles for space exploration or defense.

 

"Apollo, we just picked up something large entering orbit around the planet," Cronus said.  He was the one that had been left in charge when Apollo and Ares had left the planet.

 

"We know," Apollo said noticing the strained look in the other man's eyes.  "It’s all right Cronus."

 

"But it is big enough to be the largest Cylon basestar we've ever encountered," Cronus said.

 

"I'll explain later right now I need a shuttle ready to head on up to that ship," Apollo said.  "It could be our salvation, again."

 

Cronus looked at Apollo a bit strangely at that comment but went off to do what he had been asked.  He wondered if it had anything to do with the group of strangers that they had returned with.  One was dress in armor much like the prisoners they had and who had attacked them.  The others were who he had associated with the Tau'ri which was a group of humans who seemed to want to help them out.

 

It did not take much longer until they had boarded a shuttle unlike the ones that the Goa'uld used this one seemed more advanced and primitive all at the same time.  Not dwelling on that subject right now Jack and the others watched as the sky slowly went from blue to black as they entered space.

 

The pilot quickly located the orbiting ship which was still quite a sight to Jack.  The Galactica was silently orbiting the planet awaiting someone to board it.  The pilot did a good job of landing the shuttle on the ship's landing bay as they got out of the shuttle.

 

"Impressive," Bra'tac said as he looked around the hanger bay.  "Human's built this?"

 

"Yes, a long time ago," Apollo replied as they made their way to the elevator.  The ten of them climbed on board as it made it trip to the bridge level.

 

The door opened on the level as the group climbed out and made their way to the bridge.  The bridge door opened revealing three Asgard who were frantically working on the bridge to do something to locate where they were.  They glanced at the door and were a bit surprised to see humans standing there.

 

"The Asguard high council will not be happy when they learn of what has just happened," one of them said to Jack.

 

"It seems to me that you guys are the one who were trying to take it," Jack replied.

 

"You must be O’Neill.  You are as brash as they say," the Asgard replied.

 

"Yeah, well thanks," Jack said.

 

"I don't think that was a compliment sir," Sam said from where she was standing.

 

"I know that Carter," Jack replied.

 

"We must inform you that you must return the Galactica to the Asgard at once," one of the scientists said.

 

"We can't do that," Ares said.  "You are too arrogant to fully understand what we are up against."

 

"The Asgard will not underestimate this enemy I assure you," the scientist said.

 

"By doing nothing you already have underestimated them," Ares all but yelled.  "You think that just because you are smart that it makes you right.  The Cylons are coming and coming now, not later.  They will not talk they will not stop, they will continue until you are all dead, that's how they work."

 

"We have dealt with a machine life form before," the scientist said.

 

"You fool, they are not a life form, and they are a machine with one purpose.  To destroy all organic life.  That is there mission," Ares said.  "And right now this ship could be all that left to stopping them this time."

 

"Then you are underestimating the power of the Asgard fleet," the scientist replied.

 

"Enough take them off the ship and hold them on the planet's surface," Ares ordered as a few men stepped forward and raised their weapons.

 

"O'Neill it would be a mistake to side with them," the lead scientist said turning to look at Jack.

 

"For once I agree with them," Jack said pointing his finger at Ares.  "I think there is a threat that you are not taking seriously."

 

The three Asgard were taken off the bridge leaving the others standing there looking around.  Jack mentally thought about the ship in his mind.  It was a large ship that was for sure, and he was not sure that the Colonials had enough soldiers to man the ship.

 

"How many people usually make up a compliment for a ship of this size," Jack finally asked.

 

"Usually around five to seven hundred.  But wartime experience can increase that to almost a thousand warriors," Apollo said thinking about what he knew from their fleet.

 

"Seems to me that you are short of warriors," Daniel replied making a mental note of the camp that he had seen.

 

"Yes, we have only about four hundred warriors at the present.  It was all that managed to escape.  Many sacrificed their lives so other civilians could escape," Ares told the group.

 

"We had a base similar to yours, when the Cylons attacked it was the last part of our planet to fall to them," Apollo said.  "Our father was killed in the action."

 

"I'm sorry," Sam said.

 

"We had made our peace with him," Athena said.  "Now we must move forward to the future or everything will be lost."

 

"If you're willing I think I might be able to persuade my government to add to your forces," Jack said.

 

Ares almost bristled at the comment when Artemis' laid a hand on her brother’s arm.  "We would welcome the help general."

 

Ares and Artemis shared a look before Ares finally looked down in defeat.  Jack and the others were not quite sure what had just happened but realized that much like their own government the Colonials did not always agree with each other as well.  Ares seemed to be the military person, quick to act without thinking about what he was doing.  Apollo was the opposite of Ares and Athena and Artemis acted as a buffer between them.  He was still trying to figure out Aphrodite and how she figured into this picture.

 

"I would offer my Jaffa as well.  We were defeated once by them and we do not take defeat lightly," Bra'tac said to the group.  "If you would have us we would be honored to fight along side you."

 

"We would welcome you as fellow warriors," Apollo replied.  He knew that if they were going to defeat the Cylons now they would need as many allies as possible.

 

"We have much to do and if what you have said is correct little time to do it in," Bra'tac said.  "We should get moving."

 

"For once I agree with you," Ares said.  "The longer we sit here talking another world could be destroyed."

 

"All right, I'll head back and talk with the President about this," Jack said.

 

"I might be able to do something as well back at my college," Erin said.  There was little she could do but with the resources of the university she might be able to look at the texts to see if anything might be helpful.

 

"I'll go with you," Aphrodite replied as everyone looked at her strangely.  "I know the texts better than anyone else.  I can help the doctor in her translations and the knowledge of our past."

 

"You'll need an escort," Jack said not really trusting the doctor to do that.

 

"I'll go," Jonas said.  He had been watching everything quietly and decided that this might be an opportunity to get to know the woman better.  It was one of the few times that his personal feelings overcame what should have been right.

 

Jack thought about it for a moment.  Jonas was not his first choice for this mission, but he realized the Jonas might also be the best choice.  Aphrodite looked like she might trust him and tell him things that she might not tell anyone else.

 

"All right, but keep in touch each day," Jack said watching as a slight smile lit Jonas and Aphrodite's faces.

 

"Let's get moving then," Bra'tac said.

 

 

 

Jack, Erin, Jonas, Aphrodite and Bra'tac stepped back through the stargate and into stargate command.  Jack was still a bit nervous about having Jonas accompany Aphrodite and Erin but he needed the others to help fit out the Galactica and what type of people would be needed to complete the ships crew. 

 

The hardest part was going to be the command structure.  Jack had a feeling that his superiors would want command of the ship but he felt that the colonials had the better credentials to command the ship.  It was something that he was going to be sure to note in his report to the President.  The other was not telling the Asgard where the ship was.  He was sure that they were going to be looking for it.

 

Jonas was just glad that he was going to be helpful on this mission.  He had felt helpful in the past but always seemed to be in Daniel’s shadow.  This time he would be in a different area than Daniel and could show his usefulness to Stargate Command.  He had enjoyed his missions with SG-1 a lot and looked hopeful that he might be able to rejoin stargate.  His own people were not as anxious to explore other worlds as the Tau'ri were.

 

"We should probably get you some better clothing," Jonas said looking at Aphrodite.  "And a new name."

 

"Why," Aphrodite asked not really understanding.  "Our names have been passed down from generations of great people and leaders.  They are seen as a great honor to have."

 

"Yeah, well on our planet the names that you have are of ancient gods," Jack said.  "People might look at you a bit strange if you use your real name."

 

"I see," Aphrodite replied with an internal look on her face.  It was on that indicated she was thinking about something.  "What type of god was Aphrodite?"

 

"Actually a goddess, and the goddess of love," Jack answered her.

 

"Hmm," she said as her eyes got a bit of a twinkle in them.  "What about my brother and sisters?"

 

"Sisters, thought you just had one sister," Jack replied as they headed to his office.

 

"Athena is considered family to us," Aphrodite said.

 

"All right, Ares is the god or war, Apollo is the god of the sun, Artemis is the goddess of the moon, and Athena is the goddess of wisdom, generally," Jack replied.  "There are some subtleties involved but generally that's what they are known for."

 

"I see, it fits in a strange way then," Aphrodite said musing a bit out loud.

 

"Perhaps we should start to make our way to my house.  Everyone can stay there," Erin said.  "And I might have some clothes that will fit you."

 

"That would simplify things," Jack said.  "Jonas, keep me informed about what's going on."

 

"Right," he said as the three of them left to get Aphrodite some clothes then head to Erin's house.

 

"What do you think about the command structure O’Neill," Bra'tac asked once the three were out of the room.

 

"Well I pretty much know what my superiors will say," Jack replied.  "They are not going to take it well that the ship found here will be commanded by another race."

 

"I thought as much.  Perhaps you can lead them to believe that we are in charge without being in charge," Bra'tac replied.

 

"That sounds good, but how do you do that," Jack said open to ideas.

 

"How about this," Bra'tac said outlining a plan to Jack.

 

"Interesting, it just might work," Jack said with a grin on his face.  "And it just might annoy our Vice President, I'll do it."

 

 

 

Erin unlocked its door to her house and let Jonas and Aphrodite inside.  There was a lot of books lying around the house and Erin wished that she had a bit of time to straighten up the place.

 

"Sorry about the mess," she said apologetically to the other two.

 

"Don't be," Jonas said picking up one of the books and inspecting it.  This one was about the ancient civilization of Egypt.  He had seen many books in Daniel's quarters and around Stargate Command.  Many of the personal there were required to know a bit about the ancient Egyptian gods.

 

That was a thought that suddenly struck him.  Why was it that none of the Goa'uld they had encountered were named after the Greek gods or goddess.  That was a question that he just might ask Daniel.

 

"I'll go and clean up the guest rooms for you two," Erin said glad that she had the extra room in her house.  She would have to make the sofa into a bed but it would not be a problem.  "Make yourself at home.  There is water and other drinks and food in the fridge.  I'll have to make a stop at the grocery store for more though," she said as she disappeared into the hallway of the house and into one of the rooms.

 

"Okay," Jonas replied as the two of them stood there a bit awkwardly until finally Jonas finally sat down on the sofa.  "So, this is how a normal Tau'ri lives."

 

"You mean you've never been inside one of their houses," Aphrodite asked.

 

"Well, not anyone outside of Stargate Command," Jonas replied.

 

"So you don't know if this is normal then or not," Aphrodite stated looking around then back at Jonas.

 

"Well, no, not really," he said with a grin.

 

At that moment Erin came bouncing through the room on her way to the kitchen.  She opened the door to the fridge and looked inside.  She realized that if they were going to have something to eat for supper then they would have to head to the store.

 

"Want to get out for a while.  My fridge is emptier than I thought," Erin said.

 

"Sure," Jonas said glancing over at Aphrodite.

 

"I'm actually a bit tired, if I could take a nap it would be great," Aphrodite said..

 

"No problem, I've made up a couple of bed in the other rooms, come on I'll show you and you can choose," Erin said leading Aphrodite down the hallway.

 

A few minutes later they were off to the store.  Jonas was impressed with the amount of food that was in the store.  It rivaled anything on his planet that was for sure.  The only thing was the prices seemed a bit cheaper.

 

"Why don't you look around and see if there is anything that you would like to try," Erin said as she grabbed a cart.

 

"You won't leave me here will you," Jonas said with a smile.

 

"Nope, don't want the military on my butt," Erin replied.

 

"All right," Jonas said walking away to inspect the ship isle.

 

Erin inspected some tomatoes then picked out a couple before heading to the meat isle.  She looked thought the pork chops and selected a package that looked good.

 

"Doctor Hill," a voice that she did not recognize said.  "You've been gone a long time."

 

Erin turned to see who was talking to her.  The face was not one that she recognized and wondered who the man was.

 

"My name isn't important, yours is," he said as he causally picked up some ribs.  "Something happened with the ship, we want to know what."

 

"I don't know what you’re talking about," Erin said turning to leave the man.

 

"Then you don't care about the friend you left at your house," he said making her stop and turn back to him.  "What is going on?  We have powerful backers that can make your life hell."

 

The way the man said it scared the hell out of Erin.  "They don't tell me these things," she finally said not sure what to say to him.

 

"We don't like liars either," the man said showing her a small detonator.

 

Briefly glancing around Erin noticed that they were still alone before saying anything else.  "The Colonials are manning the ship with the help of the military all right," she said.

 

"Good," the man said nodding his head.  "For now."

 

Erin watched as the man walked away.

 

End Part 6

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