nuBSG fanfic "Battlestar Urantia"

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...


BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER FIRST CYLON WAR

The great ship silently sailed through space, as a Viper CAP flew past the vessel, as the ship's intercom activated, and the voice of the Officer of the Watch began to announce duty orders.

GALACTICA CORRIDOR

The Officer of the Watch's comm voice continued to announce orders, as Commander Dennis Nash walked through the long hall, which was mostly void of activity, save for a few crewmembers or Marines that would occasionally walk by, pausing to offer their salute to the Commander, as he walked by.

Finally, Commander Nash reached his destination, pausing in front of a hatch, and taking a deep breath, which ended with a long sigh, as he opened the door, and stepped into the room on the other side...

STARBOARD HANGAR BAY

As soon as Commander Nash entered the upper level of the massive hangar deck, he noticed that the room already looked different that the portside hangar deck. Gone were the rows and rows of Galactica's once-proud Mk. II Vipers, and the floor of the hangar deck had been cleaned to showroom-floor condition, and now glistened with a thick and shiny clear coating, that would protect the deck floor from the millions of feet that would eventually stand and walk over it.

Nash began to climb down the steps to the lower main level, looking at the various deckhands going about the task of converting the hangar deck for its new purpose. As Nash reached the floor of the deck, the Chief paused, standing at attention, and saluting him.

"Commander on deck!" the Chief shouted out, as everyone paused what they were doing, and turned to face Nash, saluting him.

"As you were." Nash replied, returning their salute, as he looked to the Chief. "Well? How's it coming?" he asked, running his right hand through his red hair, which now sported tips of salty gray.

"Well," the Chief began, leading Nash along with him as the two men walked. "The floor's been finished, as you can see. And we're setting up the partitions and signage now." he added, indicating for Nash to look forward.

Nash looked where the Chief pointed, and saw two deckhands on separate ladders, working together to hang a long sign that read "Battlestar Galactica Information" from one of the center rafter beams. As he looked back down, he saw another deckhand propping up a sign on a stand that read "Battlestar Galactica Museum." As he looked further forward, towards the forward end of the bay, he saw a large stage and podium set up, and more deckhands working to put up some Colonial banners and bunting behind it. He sighed again, as he looked to the floor for a moment, shaking his head, before looking back up to the Chief.

"I have to say... I'm gonna miss you, Sir. It's been an absolute honor to have served with you." the Chief offered. "You sure you won't reconsider leaving?" he added.

"No... no..." Nash began, as he looked up and around the vast deck, before looking at the Chief again. "I've done my duty... I've seen this ship from commissioning, all the way through the Cylon War. That is what this ship is and was to me... a fighter... a warship. A Battlestar. Now what is she? She's not a Battlestar anymore... they've turned her into a frakking tourist attraction." he offered, as he looked around again. "No... this is Adama's ship now. Let him babysit crowds of people with cameras and screaming kids... I'll enjoy my retirement." he stated, looking the Chief in the eyes. "How long until he gets here?" he asked.

"Commander Adama's shuttle should be arriving withing the hour, Sir." the Chief began, as another deckhand motioned for the Chief to go over to him. "If you'll excuse me, Sir?" he added, as he walked away.

Commander Nash began to turn to face the other direction, as behind him, a large cloth cover was pulled off of a big glass case, that held an inactive Cylon Centurion inside it, as Nash turned back to look at the displayed Cylon, looking into the now-dark and inactive scanning window of the Centurion's "head".

"Godsdammit." Nash softly whispered, as he again turned to face away from the Cylon, and finally began to walk away, leaving the Cylon alone on the deck.



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...



NEW YORK CITY - EARTH

3 DAYS BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION OF EARTH

The sounds of the bustling people and traffic filled the air, as the lone Clymian D'AN'A unit walked down the street, as a few of the people walking glanced at it, as the red scanning light roved from right to left, with a low drone.

Suddenly, for some unknown reason, the Clymian stopped, and after a moment, turned its head to face right, as it turned to enter the lobby of a large and upscale cocktail lounge, where many sofas and a large black piano sat, as the well-to-do of the city quietly sat and drank.

Gradually, the patrons of the establishment began to look to the approaching Clymian Centurion with curiosity, as the Clymian continued walking, ignoring the humans.

Finally,the D'AN'A unit arrived at its destination... the large grand piano, shiny and black. The Clymian at first merely looked into the mirror-shiny black finish of the piano, regarding its own reflection, watching in childlike curiosity, as it saw the reflection of its own scanning light roving from side to side. After a moment, it reached out with its right arm, to touch its reflection, but stopped just short of the piano's surface, before withdrawing its arm.

The puzzled human citizens looked on with quiet fascination, as the Clymian sat down at the piano's bench, and after a second, began to play the instrument.

The Clymian's scanner swept from side to side, as it began to play a piano sonata, its cold metallic robot fingers playing the keys with computerized precision.

As the Clymian played the piano, the humans all stopped what they were doing, and just looked on, as the sounds of the piano resonated throughout the entire lounge, filling the air with the sonata.

CLYMIAN COMMANDSTAR

The large ship held position over the globe of the Earth, as a few wings of Clymian Stalkers sailed by the ship, flying CAP, as the sounds of the piano sonata resonated even here in space, as the Clymian Commandstar slowly maintained its silent waltz over the blue globe of the Earth.

CONTROL ROOM

It was the same inside the ship... for whatever unknown reason, the very same slow piano sonata was being heard inside the vast ship, while the standard Clymian Centurions ran about the ship, locating any D'AN'A units that were still operational, and once finding them, opening fire on their former superiors, destroying the Valorious Leaders, as ordered by the humans.



CLYMIAN COMMANDSTAR GROUP - LUNAR ORBIT

It was the same everywhere as well... the group of five Clymian Commandstars slowly drifted through space at an angle, rotating, as the sound of the piano sonata accompanied the scene, while on the insides of all the ships, the same scene was being played out... Clymian Centurions were disposing of the D'AN'A line.



RIO DE JANEIRO - EARTH

The D'AN'A unit looked up, as the Centurion before it raised its rifle in aim directly at the D'AN'A unit's scanner, and fired a single shot, sending the Valorious Leader falling backwards.

The sounds of the piano sonata filled the computerized mind of the D'AN'A unit, as it looked up, to see the face of the attacking Centurion looming over it, looking down at it, as the statue of Christ the Redeemer stood behind the Centurion, as it once again raised its rifle, and fired one final shot, which suddenly made everything go completely black.



CYLON BASESTAR GROUP

The group of three of the double-Y Cylon Basestars slowly sailed through space, highlighted by the rays of the nearby star, in the background, as even here and now, the haunting sounds of the Clymian's piano sonata seemed to follow the ships, resonating through space itself, as the ships did their slow dance through the stars.

DOWNLOAD CHAMBER

With a gasp, one of the D'Anna's once again awoke to life, fumbling about in the white slime of the resurrection tub, as she looked to the old man at her right side... Cavil.

Cavil offered a very slight smile, as he looked to D'Anna, addressing her.

"So... are we done here, or should I just cut through all the impending drama, and pull the plug right here?" he asked

D'Anna looked to Cavil, with serious yet distant eyes, that were full of amazement.

"There is something happening..." she began. "Something great... there IS something beautiful between life and death. And I have to find out what it is." she offered.

"Yes, sure... of course there is." Cavil began, in a sarcastic tone that told her he didn't believe a word of what she was trying to say. "You know, Three..." he continued. "I think I... we've... all been more than patient, indulging you in your little exploration of the afterlife. But your recent actions... intentionally terminating your existence so that you can download again and again... need I remind you that we don't exactly have access to a Resurrection Ship. I want you to stop this insanity. Stop wasting bodies." he added.

Suddenly, D'Anna appeared to look around the room, with a look of childlike curiosity, until she again spoke...

"Do you... do you hear that? That music... piano music. Do you hear it?" she asked.

Her only reply was from a nearby Cylon Centurion, which turned to face her, as if in curious puzzlement, as its red scanner moved from side to side in a "V" pattern.

Cavil looked from the Centurion back to D'Anna, and reached out his hand to touch her slimy right arm, as he looked into her eyes.

"Look... if you want to study the word of God and faith and life, the universe, and everything... that's fine by me... you can read a copy of the Book of the Word. But you WILL stop doing this. The others are as worried as I am about your recent behavior. If you refuse to see reason, we may have to take more drastic measures... maybe even box your entire line." Cavil stated, as he got up.

"Don't you want to know the answer?" D'Anna called out after him.

"I really don't." Cavil shot back, as he walked out of the room, leaving D'Anna alone in the tub.



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[BolianAuthor]

As promised, here is some new artwork, courtesy of Atolm...

Atolm was kind enough to design the Clymian D'AN'A units, or "Valorious Leaders", as they are also referred to, in the story.

As usual, he did an outstanding job!

 

[Radiogod]

WOW Bruce, those last two posts are spectacular, please excuse my month long absence. Dude, if you keep running with that thread....as well written as it is, you're gonna have a bone-ified hit on your hands.

Rock on, my colonial brutha!!!!!! I do imagine that you could find a place for me in set design with my electronic background?? Not to mention my rock star stage presence. All those nights playing skynyrd in dive bars has to pay off sooner or later...LOL

Shakesepere or skynyrd, all this has happened before.....

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the "Battlestar Sonatica" post. I can always use help in the set department, so I'll add you to the team. I'll send you a PM regarding the Urantia sets soon.

I apologize for the LONG delay in updates, but I have not been feeling well for a while, so I've been kinda out of the mood, lol. But an update will come. I promise.

 

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...



EARTH

THE FALL

The bright blue and white globe sat in space, unaware of what was about to take place.

ALLIANCE WARSTAR GOLIATH

The large Earth warship sat in orbit of Earth.

BRIDGE

The Commanding Officer entered the large room, as the First officer began to explain the current situation to him.

"What've we got?" the Captain asked.

"Sir... ground stations are reporting some kind of unauthorized Clymian activity... Stalkers have taken off from several ground bases, and are currently airborne... crossing into several treaty air zones. Attempts have been made to contact and shut down the Centurions, but so far those attempts have resulted in failure." the First Officer explained.

"Very well... let's try another approach, shall we? Contact the closest Commandstar... have them shut down the units from orbit." the Captain stated.

"Aye, Sir." the XO replied, snapping to duty.

NEW YORK CITY

The dozens of wings of Clymian Stalkers flew through the sky over Manhattan, the ghostly whine of their engines adding a ghastly sound to the already grim image below them... the once-proud skyline of Manhattan now reduced to miles of rubble, with fire and smoke rising from the toppled buildings.

CLYMIAN COMMANDSTAR

With a series of whirring and clicking sounds, the old man's eyes gradually opened, and the Clymian Hybrid found itself partially submerged in the tub of illuminated milky liquid, as the Hybrid began to instantly recite instructions in the ship's data flow...

"Processing ship's data... it has begun... The five lights of the apocalypse rising struggling towards the light, the sins revealed only to those who enter the temple only to the chosen one... wait... I know you..." the old man said, suddenly pausing, as he looked to the end of the room...

There, standing against the wall, looking at the old man Hybrid, and flanked by two Clymian Centurions, were five humans... two women, and three men.

Finally, after a moment, the older of the two women spoke up.

"Don't be afraid... this has all happened before..."

"And it will happen again." the older of the three men added, looking to the Hybrid.

The old man Hybrid looked to the five humans before it, his eyes betraying a degree of uncertainty, as he began to repeat the lines of the humans.

"All this has happened before, and will happen again." it stated, suddenly realizing. "The makers of the makers are among us... Counting down. All functions nominal. All functions optimal. Counting down. The center holds. The falcon hears the falconer. Infrastructure, check. Wetware, check. Everyone hang on to the life bar, please. Apotheosis was the beginning before the beginning. Devices on alert. Observe the procedures of a general alert. The base and the pinnacle. The flower inside the fruit that is both its parent and its child. Decadent as ancestors. The portal and that which passes. Nuclear devices activated, and the machine keeps pushing time through the cogs, like paste into strings into paste again, and only the machine keeps using time to make time to make time."

ALLIANCE WARSTAR GOLIATH

The ship sat in Earth orbit, as suddenly, a dozen FTL flashpoints burst into sight, spitting out a dozen Clymian Commandstars, which surrounded the lone Earth warship, as the old man Hybrid's voice could be heard, continuing its recital...

"And when the machine stops, time was an illusion that we created free will. Twelve battles, three stars, and yet we are countless as the bodies in which we dwell, are both parent and infinite children in perfect copies. No degradation. The makers of the makers fall before the child. Accessing defense system. Hello, hello. Second level clear."

BRIDGE

A frantic XO looked to the Captain, as the crew rushed to action in the background.

"Sir, the Clymians aren't responding... it's as if they've cut off all communications! We've got twelve Commandstars surrounding us... preparing to launch Stalkers... their weapons are hot!" the XO called out, as the Captain looked up to the RADAR box overhead.

"Battlestations... launch Cobras... prepare all starboard side ship-to-ship batteries." the Captain announced, as the battlestations alarm began to blare in the room.

Suddenly, the XO's eyes grew wide, and he looked to the captain, sweat beading on his face...

"Sir! We're re-orienting... I don't know how, but the ship is turning towards the planet... Sir... our missiles... if they launch to the surface..." he said, scared.

"Regain manual control... reverse course!" the Captain shouted, as the XO looked to the Navigator, who worked frantically, before looking back to both men, shaking his head in silence.

ALLIANCE WARSTAR GOLIATH

In orbit, the massive ship came about, and oriented to point its vast missile arsenal directly at the surface of the Earth, as once again, the Hybrid's voice continued to recite...

"Their ships fail. Skittering like skipped stones. Meaningless in the absence of time. Back in the stream that feeds the ocean that feeds the stream. At last, they’ve come for me. I feel their lives, their destinies spilling out before me. The denial of the one true path, played out on a world not their own, will end soon enough. Struggling with the knowledge of their true selves, the pain of revelation bringing new clarity, and in the midst of confusion he will find her."

One by one, the large missile launch doors of the massive Warstar Goliath began to open, and the deadly projectiles began to peek out from their launch tubes, pointing menacingly at the globe below.

Suddenly, one by one, the missiles began to launch, streaking away from the Warstar, and racing towards the Earth below...

CLYMIAN COMMANDSTAR GROUP

As soon as the Warstar fired its own missiles, the entire group of Commandstars joined in kind, unleashing massive volleys of nuclear missiles, which were sent hurtling towards the Earth below.

"I can see them all. The self-described machines who believe themselves without sin, but in time, it is sin that will consume them. They will know enmity, bitterness, the wrenching agony of the one splintering into the many, and then they will join the promised land, gathered on the wings of an angel. Not an end, but a beginning. What am I, a man? Or am I a machine? I have seen all things. Man's life, the things that man has done. The things man felt it had to do, all leading to this moment. Throughout history the nexus between man and machine has spun some of the most dramatic, compelling and entertaining fiction. End of line."



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[BolianAuthor]

BATTLESTAR URANTIA HAS ENTERED PRE-PRODUCTION

THIS THREAD WILL NOT BE UPDATED AS OFTEN, WHILE
I DEVOTE MY ATTENTION TO THE FILM PRODUCTION

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS READ AND ENJOYED THIS STORY, AND HELPED ME GET TO THIS POINT... YOU ARE WHAT MADE THIS ALL POSSIBLE, AND FOR THAT, YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST THANKS.

I WILL POST UPDATES WHEN I CAN.

GET READY TO WATCH BATTLESTAR URANTIA!
​

-BolianAdmiral

Creator/Writer/Producer, "Battlestar Urantia"

 

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...



The brilliant flashring of light filled the starscape, as a mighty Cylon Base Ship emerged into view. But something was wrong... very wrong... This Cylon Base Ship was dying.

Contrails of fire and smoke trailed from its spires, and large amounts of small debris and hull plates were drifting off of the ship, as it sailed onward, at an off-center angle.

BASESTAR CORRIDOR

The ship was rocking violently, and lights were going offline, as sparks and explosions erupted from various wall panels and pipes, as a small army of both modern and vintage Centurions led one of the Cavils through the hall, their red scanning lights droning loudly, as Cavil brought his hands up to shield his face from a console erupting into sparks, as they rounded a corner.

"I don't care how we go... just get me off this ship!" he shouted out, as one of the vintage Centurions in front of him turned to face him, and "nodded".

"By your command." it replied, in the signature Cylon voice, as it now paused before a large cargo door. "Raider Bay Twelve." it stated, as the massive door slid open, revealing a massive cavernous bay, where two-dozen vintage Cylon Raiders were all parked, in a perfectly-formed circle.

"Fine... let's go... you and you." Cavil ordered, indicating for two of the chrome vintage models.

The trio rushed into the bay, and made haste for the nearest raider, as the canopy began to slide open, as the remaining Centurions stayed behind, by the door to the bay.

CYLON RAIDER COCKPIT

The sound of the cockpit canopy clamping shut was heard, as Cavil situated himself in the seat normally occupied by one of the gold Centurions, as the two chrome models began to work the controls.

"Beginning launch procedure." one Centurion reported.

"Get us the frak out of here!" Cavil barked, as from the canopy windows, he saw the cavernous interior of the launch bay rush past the windows, until with a slight whooshing sound, it was all over, and the violent rocking was no more... the Raider was now in open space, calm and free.

Cavil looked on, through the windows, as the starfield began to pan, until the very bottom of a planet began to emerge into view... a Caprica-sized world, bright blue, with a massive white continent of ice on the southernmost point.

CYLON BASESTAR

As the small Raider flew away from the dying Base Ship, a series of internal explosions began to consume and spread throughout the ship, and a second later, a massive burst of white light caused the entire Base Ship to explode outward, sending hull fragments and debris out in all directions. Before too long, the explosion's wake had expanded to envelop the tiny Raider, and instantly, the Raider was knocked off its flight path, and began to trail smoke.

CYLON RAIDER COCKPIT

The cockpit was filling with smoke and fire, as Cavil leaned forward, pushing aside the two now-deactivated Centurions, which both sported large scorch marks on their once-shiny chrome armor, as both their red scanning eyes were now dark and inert, as Cavil looked out the canopy windows, his eyes growing wide at what he saw, as he now screamed, knowing the the Raider was going to crash, and there was nothing he could do about it... nothing except to scream...

"FRAAAAKK!" he shouted out, with all his might, as before he knew it, there was a bright light, and then everything went totally black.



The early morning light shone down upon the grassy hill where the body of Cavil laid, as a shadow appeared over the body... the shadow of a human figure.

Very slowly and delicately, Cavil's eyelids began to quiver and open, immediately squinting shut again, at the onslaught of bright sunlight above him. Finally, after a long moment, with a strained groan of physical pain, Cavil brought his right hand up, holding it between the sun and his eyes, as he forced his eyes open.

In his half-dazed state, he saw the form of what looked like a Centurion's head, but it was nothing more than a silhouette against the harsh light of the sun behind it.

The figure was speaking something to him, but he did not understand, partially because the language was different, and partially because in Cavil's state, it all seemed like a very blurry and distant echo to him.

After a second, another Centurion-silhouette appeared, beside the one already standing over him. The first Centurion voiced something to the other, and the second one nodded, before turning and running off, as the silhouette of the first one turned to look back to Cavil, as if studying him.



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...



NEW CAPRICA

The Battlestars Galactica and Pegasus held orbit over the large world together, as both ships maintained orbital patrol over the planet, along with numerous civilian ships that had chosen not to land on the surface with the settlers.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

The tired eyes of Admiral William Adama looked over some duty reports upon the CIC table, as the light from the table reflected in his glasses, as he let out a sigh, looking for a short moment up to the DRADIS display, his face now sporting a mustache.

Just as he was about to take his eyes off the display, the telltale beeps of the DRADIS proximity alarm began to sound, and he turned to face Captain Kelly, at Tactical.

"DRADIS contact!" Kelly shouted, as Admiral Adama looked back up at the DRADIS.

THE FLEET

The Battlestar Pegasus loomed large behind Galactica, just as a massive FTL flashring of light burst into view, spitting the massive form of the Battlestar Urantia out, right in between the two Battlestars, as the Urantia loomed like a giant right above Galactica, as a few small civilian ships scrambled to get out of Urantia's flight path.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

Admiral Adama looked to the DRADIS absolutely stunned, as his eyes tracked the new screen icon representing the Battlestar Urantia.

"Well... where the frak did you come from...?" he asked himself, with a whisper, as if addressing the DRADIS itself.

BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

The massive flight portside flight pods of the Urantia swept over the form of the Battlestar Pegasus below, continuing on over the hull of the Galactica.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - BSG-75

CIC

Adama's eyes remained glued to the DRADIS, as he listened to the transmission from Urantia Actual over the intercom...

"It's been so long... we're so glad we found you... both of you. Fear not, for your troubles are over now. We are once again a fleet united, together again." announced the reassuring voice of Admiral Tyler Standish, as Adama looked straight ahead, the light from the CIC table reflecting in his glasses like fire.



BATTLESTAR URANTIA - BSG-53

ADMIRAL STANDISH'S CABIN

With a sudden gasp, Admiral Standish woke from his dream in his rack, in the low light of his cabin, as he brought right arm over his head, resigned to the fact that what he had just experienced was no more than a dream.

Just then, the phone rang, and he reached for it on the wall beside his rack, bringing it to his ear.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Sorry to wake you, Sir, but I thought you'd like to know that High Admiral Ardala has just been brought on board by our Marines... he's waiting for you in the brig." Mister Hindri's voice announced.

"Very well... I'll be down there soon." Standish replied, hanging the phone back up, and looking towards the wall clock, sighing, as he got up.









The pair of helmeted soldiers led the exhausted form of Cavil into a stone building, where a large group of men were gathered behind a row of benches, all dressed in white togas.

With mild force, they both shoved Cavil forward, as he regained his own equilibrium, standing up to regard the rows of men before him.

Cavil recognized who they were, and where he was, and gradually grew a smirk on his face, as he stood straight, and held out his arms, as if to proclaim himself a God to the people.

"Ah... Romans... lend me your ears." Cavil announced, with some mild bravado, as the gathered Romans looked to him, regarding him with puzzlement.



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[BolianAuthor]

RAGTAG FAMILY - "Life Is But A Dream" (PILOT)

CONTINUED...



KOBOL - TWO DAYS AFTER EMILON LANDING

EMILON PILGRIM TRANSPORT "PROPHET STAR"

The midsized rust-colored ship sat in the middle of the grassy highland, surrounded by a few of the smaller pilgrim transports, as well as a few Colonial shuttles, as a few pilgrims mulled about in front of the ship.

WARDLOW ETHEM'S CHAMBER

It had been roughly five hours since Ethem had spoken to his flock, in an attempt to convince them to follow him in remaining on Kobol to set up a new permanent human settlement. Five hours since any hopes of that had been dashed by the meddling voice of Eliza Winnow... the black sheep of the whole pilgrim group...

He was beginning to grow quite tired of Eliza... not only was she in her late middle years, with no husband or children, but she had no desire to have children at all. And to make things worse, she seemed interested only a single man... Tyler Standish... the Admiral. Commander of the mighty Battlestar Urantia. Wardlow had to wonder how deeply Eliza truly believed in their faith, for all her strong feelings on issues of their faith.

Yet, here he was... that one lone woman... that one singular black sheep in his flock, had managed to sway the opinions of his flock against him, and the people followed Eliza in saying that the pilgrim fleet should take off, and leave Kobol, and head back to Emilon. They all feared the curse... the price paid in blood for any humans attempting to make Kobol their home once again.

Wardlow's power was slipping away. He could feel it. But how could he possibly fight Eliza, without automatically becoming "the bad guy"... seemingly picking on a single woman? Damn this situation, and damn Captain Kline. Yes... damn Captain Kline. Why?

It was Kline who elected to join up with Urantia's fleet for the journey to Kobol. The pilgrims never had a vote. The decision was made for them, by the military. If Kline had chosen to remain independent of these Colonials, things might be going much smoother now... for Eliza might not feel so emboldened to raise her voice in objection, if she didn't have Admiral Standish to hide behind.

He had to do something... but what? Finally, he knelt down before a table where the figures of the Lord of Kobol stood, and bowed his head in prayer...

"Lords of Kobol, hear my prayer." he began, softly. "I don't know what to be doin'... after all we've been through... all the sacrifice we've been makin' to get here... to come back to our true home, and be amongst you're spirit again... after all of that, one voice is threatenin' to be destroyin' it all." he added, looking up to the figures for a brief moment, before again bowing. "I just dunno what to be doin'... I'm losin' control, and all because of one dissentin' voice. I'm needin' your help, Lords of Kobol... that I might regain control of my flock, and show them the way down the proper path... the path back to you. All I want, is to be among you again. Please, Lords of Kobol... help me. Anything." he finished, sighing, as he looked to the floor.

After a moment, something like a gentle breeze swept through the room, and over him, causing him to look up at the lit candles beside the figures, as the flames flickered from the breeze.

Finally, he could have sworn he heard a voice, clear as day... calling out...

"Ask and you shall receive." the voice said, as Wardlow turned to face the direction the voice came from.

Instantly, his face wore a look of utter and total shock and surprise, mixed with sheer terror, as if he were absolutely paralyzed with fear at what he was seeing... he could not believe it... he had to be dreaming.

Slowly, as if with the force of sheer will alone, Wardlow rose, and very slowly began walking toward what he was facing...

"It... can't... be..." he managed to say, in a whisper.

But it was indeed true... for standing before him, clear as day, was a man... a man dressed totally in gleaming white robes, with a belt of black, and a gold medallion below his neck, as the figure outstretched his hands, as if to appear as a God welcoming his child.

"It is true. It is I." the man in white said.

Wardlow's eyes were the size of moons, as he absorbed the sight of the man in white before him... this is not exactly what he had in mind when he asked the Gods for help. Finally, Wardlow uttered the only thing he could... the man's name...

"Iblis." he stated.



TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[Macker]

Frak! The Mohammedan Devil! 8)

 

[Wisky-08]

Three Battlestars and one escort.

But their is another. A forth demon of war.

I've read your entire series and love it from top to bottom.