The Atlantis swung slowly back towards the approaching ships as her external lights switched to the color of cyan. The lettering on her hull was surrounded in a dim cyan color as she slowed to a stop. The three ships pursuing her slowed and came to a complete stop in of her.
"Ma'am," the Com officer said. "We're being hailed by the lead Castanian vessel."
Terri stood next to Jon dressed in the formal uniform of the Cyphers. The dark blue suit had bright cyan bands of rank encircling her wrists. The cloak she wore was bordered in the same cyan color as the uniform. She looked over at Jon who just nodded.
"Ok, put them through, audio only," Terri said. "Turn the translators off please."
"Translators off," the Com officer said. "Audio only."
"Unidentified ship, this is Captain Hi'joas," a gurgling voice said. "Prepare to heave too and be boarded."
Terri frowned a bit. She understood most of what was said. This had been one of the languages she had been studying. Everyone else heard it perfectly clear and Jon shook his head as he quietly contacted security and had them prepare to repel borders.
Terri raised her hand as though to stop Jon as she spoke, "Honorable Hi'joas, I would speak to you for a second before we make any hasty moves between our people."
Silence was her reply.
"Honorable..." Terri started.
"You speak our language?" the gurgling voice said. "Not perfect but well enough. Who are you? I have never seen a ship of this design."
"I'm but a lowly servant to my people and bring myself before you on this day to ask for your help," Terri said.
"Strange, you were running away from us not but a moment ago and you believe I'll think you bring yourself here to ask for help?" the voice said.
"M'lord would you not run from such might too? It was a misunderstanding and nothing more," Terri said.
"Then show yourself," the voice said.
Terri raised her hand and pointed at Mike. The lights on the bridge dimmed and turned a bright cyan. "As you wish," Terri said. "I only hope my appearance doesn't offend you."
Jon sat down in the Captain's chair as Terri stepped back away from the center of the room. "Visual," Jon said.
The main viewer blinked briefly as the connection was established. Terri bowed towards the screen as a large being appeared. It looked like a cross between a slug and an insect. Armor plates covered the soft flesh of its arms and head and four eyes stared at the screen.
Hi'joas gasped when he saw Terri bowing before the screen. A murmur rippled through his ship as the crew began whispering. Hi'joas leaned forward as if studying the screen on his side intently. He then leaned back and looked over one of his shoulders and spoke softly to someone standing behind them, who shook his head no.
All four eyes on Hi'joas' face furrowed as he spoke, "What kind of trick is this!"
Terri straightened up and smiled, "I assure you this is no trick."
"Do not lie to me!" Hi'joas said. A large two fingered hand slammed into the arm of his chair. "There hasn't been a Cypher in thousands of years!"
"Yet here I stand," Terri said.
"You are deceiving us!" Hi'joas said. "If you are who you say you are prove it! If you fail we will destroy your vessel and everyone on board."
"I doubt that," Jon muttered.
Terri spun around and stared at her brother as Hi'joas' eyes locked on to him as he spoke, "You doubt my sincerity? Who are you to do this?"
"Hush!" Terri said. It was directed at her brother and quiet enough Hi'joas didn't hear her.
Jon stood up and stared back at Hi'joas as he stepped towards the planning table.
Terri reacted before her brother could speak. "M'lord, if you distrust what you see turn your translators off and see that I'm real. Allow me to also answer your question. This is Jonathan Hunter, Captain of this vessel. He doesn't doubt you he just worries about his people." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jon roll his eyes as he returned to his chair and took his seat.
"My greatest apologies," Jon said as he bowed slightly from his chair. He only did it to get the screaming Atlantis out of his head. God she could be a pain in the ass when she wanted someone to do something.
Hi'joas was still watching Jon as he nodded. "Accepted," he said. "I can understand duty, so you are forgiven Captain."
Jon said nothing but bowed again.
"Why should I believe that the Cyphers are back?" Hi'joas said.
"They're not," Terri said.
Hi'joas raised all four eyebrows in surprise. "But, here you are," he said.
"Yes," Terri said. "I'm the only known Cypher alive and the base for rebuilding the guild."
"If the Cyphers make a reappearance it could solve a lot of things," Hi'joas said. "I know of Jonathan Hunter and the Atlantis. Why should we not destroy your vessel right now and be rid of the nuisance of your people?"
"Because," Terri said. "That would be against the rules of engagement."
"What rules of engagement?" Hi'joas said.
This is what Terri was waiting for and he had fallen into it without much prompting from her. "The Cypher mandate of Radosa Prime. Establishing that any ship flying the colors of the Cypher are exempt from combat and to be accorded all privileges and rights of passage through space owned by any race signing the mandate," Terri said.
"That is an old document," Hi'joas said. "Long forgotten and made by a now extinct race."
"The Eutharan," Terri said.
"Yes of course the Eutharan," Hi'joas said. "For a thousand years that race hasn't been seen."
"Strange," Terri said.
"Why's that?" Hi'joas said. He was eyeing Terri suspiciously.
Terri walked across the bridge and stood next to a person with their back to the main viewer. "I was just wondering if this was something you were told or something you know for a fact?" Terri said.
"It's a fact," Hi'joas said.
"Well then," Terri said. She turned the chair around to show a Eutharan officer sitting in it. "I think you need to get out a bit more."
Hi'joas blinked all four of his eyes in surprise. "Impossible! We were told..." he said.
Terri arched an eyebrow as she looked at Hi'joas. "You were told what?"
Hi'joas shook his head, "Nothing, it's not important." The murmuring had resumed on Hi'joas' ship, but was quickly cut off when he slapped a hand down on the arm of his chair.
"It still doesn't matter," Hi'joas said. "You travel on a warship. If you're truly a Cypher you know that this is against the rules and provides you no protection."
"So, you acknowledge the Mandate as viable and intact," Terri said.
This caught Hi'joas off guard and his mouth looked like a fish gasping for air. "The Castanian Empire is still under the Mandate, yes."
Terri smiled.
"You're still aboard a warship," Hi'joas said.
"That is true," Terri said. "However, under certain circumstances I'm allowed such transport. This ship flies my colors for all to see and her weapons are secured. We travel through hostile space and as such I'm allowed to do this in a warship for my protection."
"What hostile space?" Hi'joas said.
"All space is hostile as there is no peace in this galaxy right now," Terri said.
Suddenly before anyone could say anything the screen split and an older Castanian appeared next to Hi'joas. His armor plates were deep red and highly polished. Gold bands were etched into them running left to right.
Terri immediately knelt as she spoke, "You highness."
Hi'joas immediately knelt and spoke, "You my Queen, to what do I deserve this unexpected call?" Every Castanian on board Hi'joas' ship knelt and bowed.
The Queen smiled at Terri and bowed slightly before she spoke, "M'lady, the Castanians welcome you with open arms."
After being acknowledged Terri rose and spoke, "Thank you your highness."
"No need to be so formal Cypher Hunter," the Queen said. "I'm Queen Sa'oliq and you can call me by my name." Terri's eyes widened in surprise as the Queen spoke. "Surprised? Oh, you shouldn't be I know about you and your brother Jonathan Hunter. I have read the reports and I must say I'm impressed."
"You have me at a loss Sa'oliq," Terri said.
Hi'joas interrupted suddenly. "My Queen, we still don't know if they're who they say they are. It could all be a trick."
"Bi'ahantas," Sa'oliq said. "You have had your translators off as long as I have and she has been speaking perfect, or close to perfect, Castanian. I have no doubts she is a Cypher and her claims are true."
"Even so," Hi'joas said. "There's not a lot we can do about it. We can't render assistance to them they're outlaws and wanted by the Invaru. This makes them our enemy. I'm just trying to decide what to do about them. Let them go or destroy them."
"You'll do no such thing Captain," Sa'oliq said. "You'll escort the Maker of Worlds and his friends safely to port."
A slap resounded on the bridge as Jon's hand hit his face and pulled downward as he groaned. A few chuckles echoed about, but were cut off when Jon looked around trying to see who it was.
"That's him?" Hi'joas said. Surprise crossed his face then fell off. "Even so we don't have much choice. We must act to preserve our people."
"You will do exactly what I told you to do," Sa'oliq said. "Is that clear?"
Hi'joas just stared at Jon his mouth slightly open.
"Captain," Sa'oliq said. Her voice gained in strength and authority. "I said, is that clear?"
"Yes, my Queen," Hi'joas said. He knelt and bowed.
Sa'oliq smiled as she locked eyes on Jon. "Please stand and step forward Captain Hunter so that my old eyes can see you clearly," she said. One of her hands was making a motion for him to stand up.
Jon looked at Terri who nodded back at him.
"So young for a human," Sa'oliq said. Jon's eyes widened in surprised. "Oh yes Captain I know of your people and their plight. I have met many humans in my life time, though they're rare in this part of the galaxy."
"There are humans here?" Jon said.
"No, not anymore," Sa'oliq said. "However, that is a discussion for another time."
"You highness," Jon said.
Sa'oliq snorted and spoke, "Sa'oliq, please, the Maker of Worlds should never address those beneath him as equal or higher people."
Jon arched his eyebrow in confusion.
"You coming was foretold," Sa'oliq said. "In a great flash of light the Maker of Worlds shall arrive. He shall carry a blue light thought to be lost thousands of years ago and a long forgotten ally. Both believed to be gone forever from the age of peace. He shall come onto the Castanians and release them from their chains. He shall remake their world as a place of peace and harmony, but only after much discomfort and disharmony."
Jon let out another small moan as Sa'oliq continued.
"Our laws are written in such a way that you are the supreme leader of my people," Sa'oliq said.
"What?" Jon said. His eyes widened as several gasps filled the room around him. "Uh, I don't want that."
"I'm sorry," Sa'oliq said. "But, that is how it is to be. After certain conditions are met you can then restore a Castanian of your choice as ruler."
"What conditions?" Jon said.
"I'm sorry, we're not allowed to speak of them," Sa'oliq said.
"Um, I order..." Jon started. Terri grabbed his wrist and squeezed as she shook her head.
Sa'oliq smiled as she spoke, "See Ha'joas, she is truly a Cypher, she understands our ways."
"Don't Captain," Terri said. "If you order a Castanian to do something they can't do they must take their life to avoid shame spreading to their household and their bloodline."
" ... you to take us to port," Jon said. Jon felt more grey hairs form on his head as he ran his hand through his hair.
"There is no way out of this Captain," Sa'oliq said.
"I'm ordering you..." Jon said. Terri squeezed his wrist again. "It's ok, trust me."
Terri raised an eyebrow in question briefly as she looked at her brother then eased her grip. "Just be careful what you say," Terri said.
"Sa'oliq," Jon said.
"Yes, M'lord?" Sa'oliq said. Jon moaned, what was it with people and M'lord crap lately.
"I'm ordering you to continue to run the Castanian Empire and to report directly back to me," Jon said. "You will have final say on all things that involve the Castanians after you confer with me. I with hold the choice of making you choose for your people without my input. Is that understood?"
Sa'oliq grinned, "And he shall cause the fall of a queen while bringing her to power. He shall rule while not ruling his people."
Jon muttered under his breath.
"Well done M'lord," Sa'oliq said.
"One more thing," Jon said.
"Yes, M'lord," Sa'oliq said.
"Cut the M'lord, Jon is fine," Jon said.
"Of course Jon," Sa'oliq said.
"Sir," the Tactical officer said. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have two incoming hyperspace events."
Jon looked at the tactical display over the planning table. Two event horizons were marked on it at the edge of their scan range.
"Release the whiskers and begin sweeps," Jon said.
"Whiskers active," the Tactical officer said. "Beginning primary sensor scans."
"Sa'oliq," Jon said.
"We see them too Jon," Sa'oliq said. "We're moving in to provide cover for you and I'm on my way to your location as we speak."
"There's no need for you to endanger yourself," Jon said.
"I'm sorry but you're my primary concern as is the Cypher," Sa'oliq said.
Hi'joas, who had been listening the whole time, finally spoke up. "Two Invaru battle cruisers have just exited hyperspace. They're on course to our current position at full speed," he said.
"Confirmed," the Tactical officer said. "I have them as the Ki'ased and Liosa."
"Prepare to bring us to battle stations," Jon said.
Terri turned to leave the Bridge as Sa'oliq interrupted Jon. "Jon, please maintain what you're doing. You can't break your Cypher status until they have attacked you. If you do you will ruin the emergence of the Cyphers. Right now you're flying under a diplomatic flag and to suddenly swap would undermine what you have done here," she said. "We'll take care of the Invaru if it comes to that."
"And if they attack us?" Jon said.
"Then by all means defend yourself from aggression," Sa'oliq said.
Jon nodded as he glanced over at his sister. "Have all hands stand by for battle stations. Terri you're with me. I need you doing just what you're doing."
Terri nodded and took her spot next to Jon back.
"I told you my Queen," Hi'joas said. "We can't afford to harbor them against the Invaru."
"Captain Hi'joas," Sa'oliq said. "If you have a problem with this you can relieve yourself and allow your second to command in your place."
"My Queen," Hi'joas said. "All I'm saying is this is a bad idea and we can't afford to fight the Invaru."
"You know that secretly the Invaru have been our enemies for ages," Sa'oliq said. "We have been waiting for one thing before acting and now he has appeared to us. I have been ruling this empire for over a thousand years. I remember the great wars and the peace before it. I'll not let this slip through our fingers. We will defend that ship if it comes to that and die doing our duty. That is my final orders and you will follow them or resign your position. Do you understand?"
Hi'joas knelt and nodded as he spoke, "As you wish my Queen."
"However, I don't think it will get to that," Sa'oliq said. She had returned her gaze back to Terri.
Terri smiled as she spoke, "Anything I can do to kick the Invaru's teeth in will be my pleasure, your Highness."
Sa'oliq laughed as she spoke, "I doubt they will be ready for this. Just a bit of information you can use, the Mandate has never been revoked. It is still in the core of the treaties today that new races sign."
Terri's grin widened, "That is very interesting and very useful, my thanks."
Sa'oliq smiled and nodded back.
"Sir," the Com officer said. "We're being hailed by the Invaru."
"Your show Honorable Hunter," Sa'oliq said. "Do not let them address you without the honorable it is part of your heritage and a sign of respect for your position. That is until you allow it."
Jon resumed his seat and let Terri have the floor. "All yours Honorable Hunter," Jon said. A small smile spread across Jon's face.
Terri shot Jon a look that could freeze blood as Jon chuckled. "I'll get you for that," she said.
"I'm sure you will," Jon said.
Terri turned back towards the main viewer, her face was now neutral. "Put them through." She had pulled the loose cloak around her body and the hood now covered her face.
A large Invaru wearing Captain's bars filled the screen and immediately started speaking, "Atlantis you are ordered to drop shields and prepare for boarding." The Captain of the Invaru vessel had a look of triumph on his face.
"This vessel is on a diplomatic mission," Terri said. The Invaru Captain blinked for a second as if he just seen Terri.
"It doesn't matter," the Captain said. "I have been ordered to seize that vessel and its crew."
"How dare you or the Invaru Empire interfere with a vessel under the Cypher's flag," Terri said.
A surprised look crossed the Invaru Captain's face. "Excuse me?" the Captain said. "Did you say Cypher?"
"Yes," Terri said. "Can you not see my colors adorning this ship and my dress that denotes me of the Cypher guild?"
"What kind of ruse if this?" the Captain said. "The Cyphers have been gone for thousands of years. Now suddenly one appears out of nowhere. I have to give it to you humans, you're a crafty lot."
"There is no trick here, of that I assure you," Terri said. She had switched to perfect Invaru as she spoke. "I'm Terri Hunter, the new beginning of the Cypher Guild."
The Captain waved one of his four arms in dismissal at Terri. "Whatever you say Hunter."
Several of the Invaru on the screen looked at their Captain as if he had just sprouted horns.
"You dare insult me or my guild?" Terri said. Her face filling with anger as the Captain began issuing orders quietly to his crew. "I was excusing the slight before. However, the proper way to address me is 'Honorable Hunter' I shall expect no less from you."
"Yes, I know that," the Captain said. "I also know that if you don't know a Cypher's name, the proper way to address them is Honorable Cypher. However, we both know you are neither honorable or a Cypher. Just because you fly the colors doesn't make it so."
"I'm ordering you to cease your approach on this vessel," Terri said. "Under the rights afforded me by the Mandate of Radosa Prime. No vessel carrying a Cypher can be boarded, seized or even approached without the consent of the Cypher in charge. I don't give you that authority and further more I'm ordering you to return to your own space."
"Fine have it your way," the Captain said. "Battle Stations, prepare to fire on that vessel." No one on his ship moved until he slammed his fist down and yelled 'NOW'.
"What?" Terri said. "You would dare fire on my ship?"
"I will do as I'm ordered," the Captain said. "You have one last chance to surrender."
"You fire on that vessel Captain," Sa'oliq said as her picture popped up. "The Castanians' will pull their support from the Empire. Consequences be damned, I'll not sit here and let you do this. The ship is carrying a Cypher and since the Mandate is still in effect for all members of the Empire. The Honorable Hunter is correct in everything she has said and done."
"Sa'oliq, this doesn't concern you," the Captain said.
"Captain Taeade," Sa'oliq said. "This matter does concern me and every member of the Empire. If you destroy that ship what do you think will happen when people find out?"
"A sigh of relief?" Taeade said. He grinned as he spoke and chuckled slightly.
"You're and idiot and shouldn't be in command of a garbage ship," Sa'oliq said. "If the Invaru Empire can't even follow its own rules and laws the member races will try to break free. I use the term 'member' lightly as we all know we were given little choice. However, at this time do you think the Invaru can afford a civil war?"
"Don't tell me you believe this nonsense about the Cyphers coming back?" Taeade said. "It's a ruse for these people to use however they can to gain an advantage."
"She has been speaking in perfect Invaru for over half your conversation," Sa'oliq said. That alone is proof enough she is who she says. Not to mention she speaks Castanian pretty good for an outsider who has never seen us."
"That can be faked," Taeade said.
"That is true," Sa'oliq said. "But, there are always signs that show it as fake. There are no signs here."
Taeade drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair as he stared at Terri. "I'll have to contact my superiors in this matter..."
"Another event is forming behind the Invaru ships," the Tactical officer said. "Super carrier dropping out of hyperspace and taking up position between the battle cruisers. I have her marked as the Wrath's Revenge under the command of Admiral Breq."
"That won't be necessary Captain Taeade," Admiral Breq said. His face appeared on the screen. "I've been monitoring the situation."
"Sire," Taeade said. He stood up from his chair and knelt.
"Captain you will apologize to the Honorable Hunter for your conduct," Breq said.
"What?" Taeade said. He looked up in astonishment.
"I said apologize to the Cypher for your rude behavior," Breq said. He stood up from his chair and glared at the screen.
"She's an imposture," Taeade said. "The Cyphers have been gone for thousands of years and you expect us to believe a human is one?" Taeade stood up and was almost yelling. "We have been looking for the Atlantis and this Jonathan Hunter. Now we have them and can end all the trouble they have been causing us and you expect me to believe their lies. I'm sorry Sire, but I can't do that. I don't believe any of it. It's too much of a coincidence to be true."
Breq's eyes narrowed as he spoke, "I have been monitoring the transmissions and I have had my translator off for most of it. I have also had the technicians going over the recordings looking for any anomaly. We've found nothing and she speaks prefect Invaru that is a sign that she is who she says she is."
Furthermore, the Mandate is intact as she says and not up for dispute. You will apologize to her to keep this from becoming an embarrassment and incident for the Invaru people. That ship, for now, is hands off. Do I make myself clear?"
"I," Taeade said.
"That had better be a 'Yes Sire' coming from you or so help me..." Breq said.
Taeade swallowed hard as he glanced back in Terri's direction. "Yes Sire," Taeade said. He knelt and bowed as he continued, "Honorable Hunter, please forgive my previous actions."
"Forgiven Captain Taeade," Terri said. Her right foot was making a grinding motion on the floor as she smiled.
"Captain Taeade," Breq said. "We can't just ignore the rules of engagement and laws of our Empire to suit our whim. There has to be order and we must set the example."
"I understand that Sire," Taeade said. "I see this as a major threat though. They have the ability to move about our space without any repercussions. Doesn't that make us vulnerable?"
"True they have the ability to move about with freedom," Breq said. "However, I don't see how one ship can make that large of a difference. The Emperor will no doubt change the Mandate and make it null and void."
"The council will never allow that," Sa'oliq said. "With the emergence of the Cyphers treaties and documents between races will mean more."
"The council is nothing more than pawns used by the Emperor to get what he wants," Breq said. "How do you really think they will vote?"
Sa'oliq got quiet as she thought about what was being said.
"However, until that time, ships flying under the Cypher flag can't be touched," Breq said. "We can't afford a civil war with what is happening in the Empire right now. It would tear us apart at the seams. Though, I would suggest that the Honorable Cypher find a less threatening means of transport."
Terri bowed.
"Sa'oliq," Breq said. "What is the Castanian position on this new Cypher?"
"My people accept Honorable Hunter as she appears," Sa'oliq said.
"So shall the Invaru," Breq said. "We will take our leave now. I must report back to the Emperor in person about this matter. I also must enter Honorable Hunter in the database so that all can recognize her as a Cypher so this doesn't happen again. With your permission Honorable Hunter I'll take my leave."
"As you wish Admiral Breq," Terri said.
All three Invaru ships entered hyperspace as everyone on the Atlantis let out a sigh of relief. Terri stepped out of camera view and grabbed her face with a hand and made a motion like she was pulling something off it. She made the motion of tossing it on the ground and then stomping on it as she smiled. Jon chuckled as he watched his sister do her little dance. Terri then stopped and smoothed her clothes as she stepped back into view.
"We will continue our escort and assist you on your repairs," Sa'oliq said.
"Thank you," Jon said.
"Sir," the Com officer said. "We received a burst transmission from the Wrath's Revenge just before she entered hyperspace."
"What does it say?" Jon said.
"Well Sir," the Com officer said. "It looks like a set of coordinates and a small note that says 'go here'. It's signed Admiral Breq."
"Con have you plotted the coordinates?" Jon said.
"Yes Sir," the Con officer said. "It's a dead end system with five planets. It's actually situated pretty close to Ghost Station."
"I know this system," Sa'oliq said.
Jon arched his eyebrow as he spoke, "You do?"
"Seems you have more friends than I thought," Sa'oliq said.
"That isn't widely known," Jon said.
"Yes, I thought not," Sa'oliq said. "We will keep your secret. That system is thought to be the home of the Cypher guild. If it is or not, I have no idea. No one who has ventured there has ever come back to report."
"Interesting," Jon said. "But, what significance would it have for us?"
"I do not know Jon," Sa'oliq said. "I only know what I have been told or heard."
"Sounds like a place we need to visit," Jon said.