Disclaimer: EFC is the property of Tribune Entertainment and Alliance Atlantis.


'Relinquished Reality'


Aboard the Jaridian battleship the greenish glow of the vertical lamps which lit up the corridor as soon as the central computer had registered his presence could barely keep the darkness at bay. Liam shuddered. Whether it was the majestic Taelon mothership or the proud warship of the Jaridian High Command, both vessels had that dreadful feeling of emptiness. When collated with the endless void of outer space, it seemed to have grown too disturbing for a lone human being. Perhaps because neither of these places had ever been meant for human presence, Liam realized.

At the end of the corridor the glow flickered. He increased his pace and soon reached a half-shadowed chamber, illuminated only by the pale lemon light of the bickering energy shield, which separated a silent being from the world outside. Liam held his breath as if afraid that at the slightest stir the scene would dissolve like a mirage.

It did not. Vorjak had kept his promise – the North American Companion was alive, kneeling on the floor, his slim hands cuffed in energy locks as if indeed the Jaridian High Command had suspected him of being miraculously able to pass through the protective shield.

'Da'an!' Liam exclaimed, but the Taelon diplomat did not look at him. His Protector had been expecting that, though, and mustered an uncertain smile as he walked up to the translucent barrier.

Vivid blue alien eyes stubbornly stared into nothingness, saying more than words could. But at least, being no less bright than the energy shield, they immediately communicated to him that Da'an was not being starved like his brethren, but well cared for like a precious bargaining card he was for his hosts. The man could hardly hide the relief he felt at the sight.

'I've talked to Vorjak,' he offered, hoping to get the Taelon's attention. 'The American government and the United Nations have officially requested your release. I don't think he's going to risk another conflict, and certainly not a war over a single Taelon.'

'You have no right to bargain for my life, Liam Kincaid, and neither does your government,' Da'an's voice was emotionless and hopelessly overconfident.

'Look, I understand that you're furious – '

'Fury is an understatement, yet for the lack of a more accurate term in your language, I shall settle for the choice.'

'Awesome,' Liam seated himself on the floor with a deliberate sigh. 'It looks like it's the first thing we've agreed on in quite a while.'

The Taelon diplomat looked at him for the first time since he had entered the chamber – and it was far from the kind of look Liam Kincaid wanted to see. If that piercing dignity in the diplomat's eyes could ever evolve into a physical thing, he would clearly be the sole victor in the war with the Jaridians at this very moment.

'Da'an, I'm doing what I can. I haven't slept for three days,' the man restlessly ran a hand through his ruffled hair, which had long been missing the touch of a comb. 'I regret I can't help the others, but I'm doing everything in my power to help you.'

'I do not require your services now that you have clearly offered them elsewhere.'

'Word games. You know I'm working with the Jaridians to save what I can,' Liam said, 'and that includes you and my home planet down below.'

The Taelon said nothing. Energy particles dancing in his eyes shimmered vivid azure against the shadows of the Jaridian warship, and somehow Liam could not help gazing at this beautiful phenomenon with a growing sense of guilt. Despite all the wrongdoings and manipulations of the Taelon Synod, Da'an had always been that one, single spark of light in his life, devoting his frail existence to repairing all the things that had gone amiss ever since his species had arrived on Earth. Of course, any chances of successful cooperation between humanity and the Taelon race had always been dreadfully small – if any at all…

So from the very day they had met Liam had known that eventually Da'an would either turn enough of a hindrance to his own species for the Synod to issue the order of his death, or would be assassinated in an act of revenge by the human Resistance. To his relief, somehow neither of these had happened. The war had ended; it was a disgraceful victory of mankind and the Jaridian Empire, but a victory nonetheless when the Taelon Synod had been forced from power.

Still, of all Taelons, Da'an was the one being that did not deserve to be confined in this dark, wretched place; and yet he was.

A strange sound like the scratching of nails against a firm surface startled Liam out of his ruminations. In the pale lemon glow of the energy shield, the once open, azure-blue eyes illuminated the dark no more – they were tightly shut.

'Da'an?' stung by anxiety, Liam approached the barrier and knelt down as close as the space of the chamber allowed. Only now he could see that the North American Companion was shivering and digging his fingers against the hard surface of the floor. 'Da'an! What's wrong?'

The lack of an answer was an answer in itself and panic made Liam's blood run cold. Could it be that Vorjak had no intention of keeping his part of the agreement and was using some refined torture to torment his prisoner? Perhaps Da'an was not being cared for as well as the Jaridian leader had claimed.

'Da'an, you have to tell me what's wrong with you,' he pleaded.

A deep blush swept over the Taelon's form and his eyes slowly opened to reveal an expression of pain and despair; for a split second the emotions were clear and unbridled before the principle of self-restraint took over. The frantic movements of his fingers ceased, and bright blue eyes regained an expression of superior calm.

Liam took a step back, having realized Da'an assumed the same position he had found him in when he had entered the chamber. The same overconfident dignity.

And then it struck him.

All other members of the Taelon Synod were probably being executed by the Jaridian High Command. Linked with them through the Commonality, the diplomat was in all likelihood experiencing their fear and agony as if they were his own.

In his mind, Liam quickly recalled several newspaper headlines clearly stating the first execution took place four days before. He wasn't sure how much mental suffering a Taelon could take without losing his sanity, but Da'an was clearly approaching the limit. Without thinking much, he walked around the barrier to find himself as close as possible to the alien entity trapped within.

'You have to listen to me and cut off the link,' he insisted.

'No.' Da'an's voice was oddly quiet.

'You can't torment yourself like that. It doesn't help anyone.'

'Has it ever occurred to you that I wish to share my brethren's fate?' Another wave of energy rippled through his pathways at the very reminder of the world which was falling apart before his eyes.

'You're not responsible for –'

'They are as much my responsibility,' the Taelon interrupted, 'as you feel I am yours. Which obviously… should not be the case since I have relieved you of your duty as my Protector.'

Liam placed his hand against the barrier. The sensation was unpleasant, but he strove to ignore it. 'You can't unfriend me, Da'an. This isn't social media.'

The Taelon Ambassador looked to the side with a smirk that would perfectly suit Zo'or's ever-disapproving mien. 'Friendship is an overstatement. People whom you refer to as your friends are at this very moment in the White House, celebrating the destruction of my world.'

Liam lowered his eyes, acutely aware that Da'an's words pinpointed the inconvenient truth he had been trying to keep out of his mind for the last few days.
To his surprise, however, the diplomat's expression softened somehow when he said: 'We both know you should join them, Liam. Go embrace your fate, and let me embrace mine.'

'You really want that farewell, don't you?'

The Taelon did not answer.

'I'll come here tomorrow, and the day after, and I'll be coming here every single day before Vorjak releases you.' Liam pressed on. 'You can count on my word, I can be a pain in the butt, but I have no intention of giving up on you.'

'With the Commonality gone, I will no longer be the person I am now.'

'It doesn't matter. I will still be waiting for you.'

'I would rather have you keep that memory…,' Da'an lowered his gaze, 'than these which are yet to come if you continue your visits.'

'We'll work it out,' the man mustered a small smile which failed to look convincing even to himself. Inside, he was despaired and doubtful, no less than the alien entity before him. He longed for certainty, for the slightest beam of light in this eternal darkness, but there was none. His species was among the victors, but what a wretched victory it was; he could not have foreseen it in his worst nightmares.

As he was about to speak again, something moved in the pale light of the corridor and he shifted uneasily. Da'an's eyes were immediately riveted on the Jaridian guard whose gorilla-like stature and robust armour cast an unfriendly shadow on the floor as he marched into the chamber. Although the man's visit on the alien battleship was by all means official and Da'an seemed in no immediate danger, Liam instinctively jumped to his feet, blocking the guard's way.

'Vorjak sends his regards,' the Jaridian rumbled clumsily in English, eyeing the human soldier who, though tall for his species, could not even meet him at eye-level.

'I'm glad to see he's kept his part of the deal,' Liam said.

Dark green eyes narrowed. 'He also wishes to remind you not to overstay your welcome.'

'I had to make sure Da'an was unharmed.'

'Now that you have, we wish you a safe return to Earth.'

Liam bit his lip. He was not in the position to argue, although the very thought of leaving Da'an alone with the guard made him more than uncomfortable. He cast one last glance at the Taelon diplomat who was still kneeling on the floor with his hands cuffed in energy locks. Vivid blue eyes stared at the enemy with pride that Liam feared would eventually throw the Jaridian warrior off balance.


Flat Planet buzzed with life. Loud music, a multitude of toasts and cheers and a strong scent of perfumes created an atmosphere which contrasted markedly with the dark, silent endlessness of the Universe. Liam had never been a socialite, but after several sleepless nights all the booming joy stung his tired eyes more than usual. Not even caring to look around, he headed straight for the bar.

'One Torpedo,' he turned to the bartender, 'and you'd better make it good. I really need something to keep me up and running.'

'One more night without sleep Liam, and that Torpedo will have you going down like a sinking ship,' a seductive female voice commented.

The man did not have to wonder whom it belonged to when Renee Palmer slid onto the chair next to him. Her short cream dress perfectly accentuated all the curves of her body, drawing the gazes of the entire male clientele.

'I see you're a party animal, Renee,' he answered. 'I guess I'd have to lie if I told you I'm surprised.'

'We're celebrating,' she nonchalantly raised a glass of champagne, 'and it's a shame you can't hear your Resistance team drinking toasts. You're one of the leaders… and each night I just see you order that energy booster and leave.'

'I'm kind of busy right now,' he stated pointedly.

'Doing what?'

'I think you know perfectly what it is I'm doing right now,' his eyes narrowed.

She raised an eyebrow. 'You won't help him if you don't sleep. Your apartment has been empty for days. When did you last take a shower?'

'I'm staying in the Volunteer quarters of the Taelon Embassy.' Liam carefully took a sip of the bright green liquid which the bartender had just placed before him. 'You don't have to worry about me.'

'We're friends, Liam. Of course I worry about you.'

'Then help me get him out. I fear that if he spends one more day locked up in there, his confinement is going to turn into a journey you don't get back from.'

For a moment she seemed to hesitate. 'I'll talk to the President again if that soothes your nerves,' she offered.

'Thanks. I'd really appreciate that,' the man said, gulping down the contents of his glass. Then he hastily searched his pockets to produce a tip for the bartender and turned to leave before Renee even managed to protest.


Heavy Jaridian boots began to clamp against the floor in a recurrent, threatening manner. Confined within an energy cell, Da'an warily opened his eyes, no longer remembering why he had closed them in the first place. His species neither required sleep nor entered any similar state, but somehow the blackness behind his eyelids seemed temptingly comforting. Especially now that his final decision, which he seemed to have been delaying for far too long, had finally been made.

He momentarily glanced at his hands. The fine layer of snow-white skin was slowly giving in the mesh of energy pathways pulsing bright beneath the illusion of a physical appearance. One by one, particles of energy were leaving his body and floating high into the air before – slowly devoured by the shadows of the Jaridian spaceship – they flickered one last time, and died.

Death was a distressing sensation, but now that his entire species had been nearly exterminated, he was not afraid to join his brethren; and even less did he fear the sound of footsteps, disturbing the silence with growing brashness. He could only hope the guard would no more than peek into the chamber the way he usually did, and leave without noticing life slowly pouring out of his species' most valuable captive.

Quite as Da'an had expected, the sound of footsteps ceased, and within seconds a dark shadow was cast upon the slim form of the Taelon diplomat. Not without a surprise, however. Bright blue eyes beheld the visitor in growing discomfort; not a guard, but the Jaridian Leader himself was standing at the entrance.

Vorjak took a step forward and smirked at the delighting view of his once greatest enemy being degraded to a frail form cuffed with energy locks. But as he touched the panel on the wall and the energy barrier separating him from his captive dissolved into particles of energy, his self-confident expression twisted in a grimace of fury.

'Arkh'var!' he raced towards the Taelon Ambassador, gripped him by the neck and virtually slammed him into the adjacent wall. Pinned by the muscular hand of the Jaridian Leader, Da'an did not seem shocked by the reaction. He was determined to accept his fate in silence and dignity, which he had been taught by his species.

'You!' Vorjak rumbled. 'I offer you my hospitality and you're still plotting to escape?'

'Your hospitality… is as impeccable as your sense of justice,' the Taelon ironized.

'As long as you're aboard this ship,' the Jaridian hissed through his teeth, 'you will live whether you want it or not!'

'I was under the impression it was your desire to have me killed.'

Vorjak could not help a sarcastic chuckle. 'Humans are offering valuable resources for your release. Watching your species being ripped apart by the storms of history is the greatest reward I could choose, but one Taelon won't make a difference.'

'Your species shall follow close behi-,' Da'an winced when the grip around his neck tightened, making him unable to speak any further.

'We shall – as victors,' the Jaridian rumbled and his hand around the Taelon's throat clenched.

His captive seemed to be striving to speak, but to Vorjak's satisfaction not a sound left his lips. He was like a game, held tight in the hunter's grasp.

'Know this,' the Leader continued. 'The only reason why I'm letting you go with all the knowledge you have about us is that the humans will never believe you. Otherwise I would have you killed the moment I saw you.'

Da'an felt faint. Almost lethargically, he began to realize that his entire body was becoming numb. A relieving thought occurred to him that perhaps Vorjak's fury would unwittingly offer him the escape he longed for; and a perfect revenge for them both.

That, however, was only until with the corner of his eye he saw a metallic object being produced out of the warrior's pouch.

'How humans would put it, better safe than sorry,' the Jaridian parted the metal bracelet with his teeth and locked it around his captive's wrist. The mechanism clicked and Da'an held his breath as a long-forgotten memory of what this tiny device could do entered his mind.

Before he could react, an electric shock was sent through his system, forcing him out of the suicidal phase his body had entered several hours earlier. He screamed mentally, calling out to his brethren through the Commonality, but in the physical world all that came of his agony was a barely audible moan.

Vorjak loosened the grip on his neck, but no relief came. And on the face of the Jaridian Leader Da'an saw first signs of doubt before his fading consciousness began to guide him into darkness.


Vorjak watched the ha'kri bracelet force the Taelon's system back into its primary functions, switching the focus of every single energy-cell from self-destruction to survival by means of precisely guided electric current. The small device was commonly used during tortures, rendering any energy-based being (Taelons in particular) unable to command their physical form to dissolve and enter the Void. It had proved effective on many occasions. Now, however, something went wrong. Vorjak knew it when he saw the Taelon's bright blue eyes gradually lose their radiance.

As he released his hold on the diplomat's neck, the Taelon began to slide down and would have collapsed to the floor if he had not been gripped by the Jaridian's strong hands.

'Hav'nar!' the warrior cursed under his breath. Completely ignoring a slim hand which in a futile attempt tried to push him away, he put one arm under his captive's knees and one under the arms before effortlessly lifting him up.

'There's more trouble with you than you're worth, Taelon' he grimaced, noticing that the energy pathways beneath the snow-white skin began pulsing at an unnatural speed. He could almost feel the rapid flow of energy under his fingertips. The diplomat's irides brightened with an intense azure light which died almost completely within a few seconds, as did the energy pattern of his true form. His eyelids drifted shut.

Vorjak frowned. The hand which had been pushing him away slid down and the being in his arms grew disturbingly still and quiet. He cursed again and stormed out of the chamber. He had duties to perform as the leader of his race, and what was supposed to be a usual, standard check on the prisoner had turned to be anything but.

Hurrying down the corridor, he glanced at the unconscious Taelon in his arms. The diplomat could not have suffered much damage due to energy loss since the guard had checked on him three hours earlier and the energy destabilization process had not yet been visible. He had been provided with everything a member of his species might need, and never interrogated or tortured like the rest of the Synod members.

What could have gone wrong?

'Tarvak!' he called as the automatic door to the infirmary slid open before him.

The healer in question immediately turned towards the visitor with astonishment spread across his face. 'Is that…?'

'Check what's wrong with him and fix that,' the Jaridian Leader commanded as he laid the Taelon on one of the empty gurneys. 'I am already late for the meeting with the High Command.'

Without asking any more questions, Tarvak instantly took one of the devices lying on his desk to run a preliminary scan. When the screen displayed first readings, deep concentration creased his forehead.

'That is… unusual,' he said to himself.

Vorjak, who was on his way out of the infirmary, stopped in front of the door as his curiosity took over. 'What is?'

'His energy levels are clearly beyond the standard limits, and shifting continuously.'

'He's ill?'

'No, but… increased doses of energy he has been provided might have actually triggered the phase.'

The other Jaridian grunted. Conversations with members of the Jaridian healer caste had always been a challenge when it came to understanding their purely scientific reasoning. But now his patience was clearly reaching its limit.

'What are you talking about?' he rumbled.

The healer smiled with unconcealed pride of his discovery. 'Ka'atham, obviously.'

And Vorjak's eyes rounded to orbs. There were many things he had been suspecting, but the Taelon reproductive cycle had been out of the question from the beginning. Jaridians were mostly a barren race, as were the Taelons, so he had long accepted the slow descent of his species into oblivion. He had believed his hybrid daughter would be the last one to carry the memory of a great civilization in her genes, but now… a spark of hope brightened his visage.

Being two branches of a single ancient species, the Jaridians and the Taelons shared a common genetic pool, and if his captive was still able to reproduce, his genetic pattern might repair the defect which was driving his species towards extinction.

'The Taelon's well-being is your responsibility from now on,' Vorjak declared. 'I hope I do not need to remind you how precious he is to us.'

'How could I forget,' Tarvak's eyes momentarily brightened into vivid green colour of the Jaridian energy signature. 'You can be certain he will be well cared for.'