Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The universe of Doctor Who belongs to BBC.
'Not all Time Lords perished into the Time Wars. One escaped into another universe.'
The Destiny's Time Lord
Everett looked up and saw the growing red dot on Doctor Stealth's side. The man saved his life and now lay dying in his arm. Stealth smiled wide.
"It is not over, Everett," – He said with fading voice. "It is just the beginning."
Everett looked up. Rush, Chloe, Matt, Grier and TJ had just come in.
"Oh my god," – TJ said and rushed to him but he pushed her back.
"You can't do anything, TJ," – He said barely. "But it is not necessary either."
Suddenly his face and hands started to glow in an odd yellowish light.
"It has begun." – His voice became coarse and he stood up pushing himself away from Everett. "Prepare yourselves to be amazed."
The yellowish light suddenly flared up in intensity. The result was astonishing...
Chapter 2
Back again...
Previously...
The crew of Destiny had just woken up from the 3 years stasis. Eli is still with them but his story of how he survived is a bit off. Rush and Young agree to keep an eye on him. A day later, a strange man crosses through the event horizon of the gate. Eli rejoices in the man's arrival.
Destiny drops out of FTL to four new worlds so the crew can resupply. Eli goes off the path to collect a mysterious package. Dr. Stealth (aka the strange man from the event horizon) makes acquaintance with Tamara. She steals his file but has her doubts about his presence onboard.
Dr. Stealth takes over the ship while enlisting Eli's assistance. Together they hold hostage the crew. Stealth directs the ship into the corona of a star then activates the jump engines of the ship that produce massive solar flares.
The ship's shields take damage but are refilled. Stealth leaves the bridge and then the ship jumps. For a moment the star vanishes out of sight then reappears.
Standing on the observation deck, Camille Wray witnesses the reappearance of the star alongside an old foe – the Drone Ship.
And now...
"Colonel, there is a drone ship up ahead."
"WHAT?" – Everett exclaimed stunned.
"She's right." – Rush confirmed.
"How the hell did they find us?"
"They haven't." – Eli replied. "We have gone back."
"Care to repeat that one?" – Rush exclaimed. "It is not possible."
"Well, sorry about that," – Stealth said. "But essentially, yes, we are back."
"Why?" – Everett asked.
"Because, Colonel, we have always come back." – Stealth replied. "Events must proceed the way there are supposed to happen hence we are back."
"That drone ship is going to destroy us."
"Not today," – Stealth replied. The radio signal got distorted for a moment. "Oi, we are big and ugly." There was a buzzing sound. "Well then now, we put this here and plug that there and here we are. Oi, Camille, they stopped didn't they?"
"Camille?" – Everett asked.
"Yes, they have. The drones are inert. How?"
Stealth laughed. "I should tell you this ship is really ugly on the inside."
"Are you there?" – Eli exclaimed stunned.
"Well, it is difficult to describe something if you are not there. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I guess." – Eli shrugged. "Why are you there?"
"Well, these bugs have something I want. Ah, there it is – a tube of nanomites. Yes, it is the perfect constructing material – oh, la, la, la…" – Stealth continued to babble at really high speed then started humming some melody.
"How can he be there?" – Matt asked trying to avoid hitting the ceiling as Stealth had not restored yet the gravity. "How did he get there?"
"It is a rather long story." – Eli replied.
"How do you know him so well?" – Everett asked.
"All in good time, Colonel," – Stealth replied instead of Eli. "Oi, Eli, would be so kind to restore gravity, lad?"
"If I knew how,"
"Go to administrative directory then directional cones, and then you will see two green arrows turned upside down, touch on the screen and reverse them." – Stealth instructed.
"Aha, found them,"
"Everyone, hold onto something, otherwise it might be rather bumpy."
Eli reversed the arrows and gravity returned on the ship. He slammed onto the metal floor.
"Ow!" – He exclaimed. "Couldn't they have built it to return gradually?"
"Sadly, no, Ancients what do you want."
"Eli, open the door." – Everett commanded.
"Not yet," – Stealth interrupted.
Rush used the time to go to the bridge only to find Stealth was one step ahead of him and got the doors slammed under his very nose.
"Damn! Stealth, open the doors." – Rush exclaimed angrily.
"Hush, Rush!"
Stealth set the new course and Destiny after three hours jumped again into FTL. It was only then when he allowed access to the bridge. Rush rushed in followed by Matt and Grier holding Stealth at the muzzle of their guns. Rush checked the navigation only to discover that he could not alter the new course.
"What did you do?" – He exclaimed.
"Well," – Stealth shrugged innocently.
"Rush, what's happening?" – Everett asked over the radio.
"We have the bridge, sir." – Matt answered.
"He's done something to the navigation." – Rush said.
"What has he done?" – Everett asked.
"I can't alter course." – Rush informed.
"We'll deal with this later." – Everett said. "Eli, open this door!"
"Do as he says." – Stealth added.
"Alright," – Eli replied though he first removed the C4s then untied Broody and at last opened the door.
Everett came in. Eli handed him the C4s and then held out his hands.
"Put your hands down." – Everett said. "Airman, take Mr. Wallace to the brig."
"Yes, sir." – The nearby airman nodded.
Eli and Stealth now shared the brig. Everett met with his command crew trying to decide what to do with the two rebels.
"Did you get anything from these two?" – Camille asked.
"No, they are playing absolute possum." – Everett replied. "Rush, have you managed to override navigation?"
"Nope, whatever he did I can't undo it."
"Where is the ship heading?"
"By my best calculations, it is heading back to Novas."
"Novas?"
"Yes,"
"What for?"
"Oh, I think only Stealth can answer that. I have no idea."
"Well then let's ask them. Lieutenant Scott, would you please bring to us Dr. Stealth and Eli?"
"Yes, sir, right away."
Eli and Stealth were brought in shortly. Stealth's hands were bound. Rush had no desire to leave him the chance to touch anything. Eli was free.
"Dr. Stealth, is there any particular reason why this ship is going to Novas?" – Everett asked as Stealth sat down.
Stealth shrugged but did not bother to answer.
"Mr. Wallace?" – Everett turned to Eli.
Eli sat next to Stealth while shrugging all the same.
"You will have to answer us."
Stealth burst into laughter. Eli joined.
"Did I say something funny?"
The laughter increased as obviously he had said something funny.
"You hijacked the ship. Why?"
"I don't have to explain my actions to any of you." – Stealth replied after calming down.
"Eventually…"
"When we come to it maybe but then again maybe not. If you haven't gathered it by now, Colonel, you can't force me to tell anything. Due process and all that…"
"It doesn't apply to terrorists." – Camille said.
"Terrorists?" – Stealth exclaimed stunned but then it was replaced by growing anger and Camille wished she hadn't spoken as Stealth's demeanor changed drastically. "You don't have the clue of what terror looks like, Camille Wray, favorite lapdog of the IOA. Terrorist – really – would you like to see what that looks like?"
"Enough, the two of you," – Everett interrupted this banter.
Stealth stood up briskly his hands free he grabbed Matt's sidearm and put it next to Camille's throat.
"One move, I'll blow her brains out."
Everett was utterly surprised by Stealth's sudden move.
"You really want to know what terrorists look like, Camille." – He whispered sinisterly in her ears. "Let me show you. Colonel, drop your arms, slowly."
"Stealth, you are making a terrible mistake." – Everett said but obeyed.
"All of you," – Stealth commanded.
Matt let go of his weapons. Grier on the other hand was still holding his.
"Ron, put your weapon down. This is an order."
"We can't let him get away."
Stealth did not wait for him though. He fired his gun twice – once in Grier's hip and one in his hand. He dropped the weapon with a scream.
"These grazed you, Sergeant. Next time however I will not be so generous." – Stealth's voice thundered. "Now move over there. Mr. Wallace, be so kind to tie them up. This century please,"
"Ian, why are doing this?" – Eli protested. "You said no one will get hurt."
"I always keep my promises, Eli." – Stealth replied. "Now, do as you're told."
Eli sighed but obeyed. He tied everyone then moved to Camille and tied her too. Stealth then disarmed his gun and threw to the floor.
"Such dismal things these guns. I prefer cold weapons they are far more effective."
"What do you intend to do?" – Everett asked. "Take over the entire ship, tie everyone?"
"Oh, Colonel," – Stealth exclaimed amused. "With such old ways of thinking, it is really sad. And besides, I have already taken the ship over, up and about. I can easily repeat it over and over again. But such is not my intention. It is you people that complicate things all the time. I thought I'll never be done saving your sorry asses."
"Saving us?" – Rush said outraged. "You have the audacity to think you…"
"Rush, hush! There is nice to ring to it – Rush hush and no, hush Rush. The latter sounds better so Hush – Rush, good lad. It is really impolite to contradict and disrespect your elders."
"My elders?" – Rush exclaimed mockingly. "Young pup you can't…"
"Shush!" – And Rush stopped speaking. It is one of these little tricks of his kind that could make anyone shut up. "I did say elders and yes I did mean it. So maybe, there is a reason. Have you consider this side of the story? No, of course, not – why would you? You think you know everything, Rush, but you don't."
"Could we get out of nonsense land and back to reality for a change?" – Eli interrupted.
"Of course, lad," – Stealth said all beaming. "Now, we can have a descent conversation and you all will listen very carefully. As you may or may not have figured out Eli's two weeks weren't exactly uneventful."
"We figured." – Everett interjected.
"Good for you," – Stealth said while pacing around. "Now, our friend Eli got into a bit of wobbly bubbly trouble by the end of his life expectance. As you have noticed the ship logs were deleted."
"I did n…."
"Shsh!" – Stealth put his finger on his mouth and once more Rush was silenced. "Do not interrupt all the time. It is very rude, Nicolas. Now, the ship logs were deleted because well I had to. It was going to and still is bringing far too much complication. However since we are already on course, right on course, you have to know something at the very least. And this something is our current course which will take us very close to Novas."
"I thought we were going to Novas." – Everett interrupted.
"Oh, no, we are not going on Novas we are going close to Novas, about tiny winy three four light years close."
"What is there?"
"Nothing," – Rush informed. "There is nothing there."
"Oh, you are wrong, Nicolas," – Stealth exclaimed tapping him on the head. "There is something there. There is a lot of something there."
"Like what?"
"Oh, why spoil the surprise? You people are so hard to please. Ts, Ts!" – Stealth moved to Camille now. "Camille Wray, maybe next time when you open your mouth you'd be certain to choose carefully what comes out of there. I can very easily show you what terror really looks like but…" And he cut her loose. "I'm not your enemy. I have something to do and I can't let you constantly be in my way or to explain everything. Trust me the least you know the better." – He moved to Everett and cut him loose too. "You will have to trust me whether it makes sense to you or not. There is far too much at stake. You will not get more out of me. You can cut your people loose…Colonel."
Everett did not wait to be told twice. He was confused. Stealth's game was…well he did not know what it was. "I'll speak with you privately." Stealth whispered in his ear while the others were getting up. "Midnight your quarters." And he left the room.
It was very odd experience for Everett. He had been taken by surprise twice and twice he failed to do whatsoever. Who was Stealth really? His skills suggested counter terrorism, counter intelligence, navy, and something else. Why was he really assigned to him?
Midnight came and Everett was waiting in his quarters. Punctual as a clock, Stealth knocked on the door.
"Good evening, Colonel," – He said.
"Dr. Stealth," – Everett replied.
"Let's take a walk."
"I thought you wanted to talk here." – Everett said as part of the plan involved them staying in Everett's quarters but it would seem he had foreseen such an outcome.
"No, a walk would be better."
Everett followed him. Stealth took him to a part of the ship Everett has never been before. Stealth entered into a lab and sealed it in. He placed two cylindrical objects on both sides of the door.
"Good, now our conversation can't be overheard even if there is someone on the other side of the door listening in." – Stealth said. "I know you're not particularly happy about this morning and how things came to be but…"
"You were testing us." – Everett interrupted. He had a whole evening to think it through.
Stealth looked at him approvingly. "Yes," He shared. "Well, I didn't think you'd notice."
"I did." – Everett replied. "You're right I don't particularly enjoy being kept out of the loop. But the bothering question is…"
"Why now?"
"Yeah, why now?"
"I guess because now is the appropriate time."
"Really? And what is stopping me from putting you down to the next available planet?"
"Really? And how would you justify that? Like you did with Rush, last time?"
"You took over the ship. That's how."
"Aha," – Stealth smiled. "I guess you could that though…"
"Though…" – Everett was getting tired of this game of hide and seek. "Who are really? You can't be just captain?"
"You're right. I'm not. Technically speaking, I outrank you."
"What?" – Everett looked up stunned.
"I hold the rank of Lieutenant General United States Air Force."
"That's not possible. Such a high ranking person would not be sent here."
"You're right and wrong at the same time. Some missions do require the presence of higher ranking officer. In my case, I'm always on missions. I'm pretty sure you've heard of me, well not under my name of course, but under my code name yes."
"And what is that?"
"I'm Guardian."
Everett displayed utter shock. He had indeed heard of this operative and according to all accounts he is the most effective operative in history. He has no failure at all. He has more medals than anyone in the military.
"What?" – Everett whispered. "But then what are you doing here?"
"I have a mission now and I really wish I could tell you but I can't. It is very, very complicated."
"You have to give me more than that. How does Eli know you that well?"
"Well, let's just say we got to know each other."
"How? Two weeks is not enough time."
"I can't answer that."
"Can't or won't?"
"Ironically these two are often the same."
"So what you are taking over again?"
Stealth let a healthy laugh. "No," He shook head. "Everett, you have earned the respect of everyone even me. I'm not just going to step in and take your command. But I do have things to do and when and if I have to you will stay out of my way. Otherwise, you are in charge."
"Then why the hostile…"
"As you said I was testing you. We are entering forbidden water so to speak and I need all of you to be on your toes. I can tell only this things are about to get very grim and you have to be ready."
Everett sighed deeply. "Alright, just one more question. How did you get aboard the drone ship?"
"I can't tell you that either."
"What did you beam aboard?"
"No."
"Then explain it?"
"I can't."
"Or won't?"
"That too…"
"Alright," – Everett shrugged. "So what is next? Why are going there?"
"You'll see."
"Alright,"
Stealth unsealed the lab and took Everett back to his quarters. "Good night, Everett."
"Good night, Doctor."
Everett had much to think about: Ian Stealth, aka the Guardian, on board his ship and without his knowledge. He wondered if General O'Neil knew about him but with no contact with Earth he would have to wait. Speaking of Earth, he decided to give it another try.
He went to the stone room only to find the stones weren't there instead he found a note saying: sorry but no. 'Stealth,' Everett sighed and returned to his quarters to try to get some sleep.
The morning he woke up because his nose registered unusual aroma in his room. He opened his eyes and stood up then he noticed the tray and almost fell out of surprise, on the tray, a cup of aromatic, steaming coffee and a plate with fresh muffins. He closed and opened his eyes just to be sure he wasn't still sleeping but no he wasn't. The muffins and the coffee were quite the genuine article.
'How on Earth was this possible?' He pondered. 'Have we entered the world of impossible dreams?'
There was a knock on the door. Everett went to it and opened it. It was Rush with a steaming cup of coffee in hand.
"Good morning, Colonel, can I come in?"
"Sure," Everett stepped aside and let Rush in.
"I see you have been served too." – Rush observed.
"Yeah, what's going on? Who did this?"
"You and me both," – Rush replied.
Everett shook head. "Stealth, right?"
"It does smell of his oddities, yes."
There was another knock on the door. Everett moved to it and opened it. It was Matt and Camille each with a beverage that is not usually on the menu.
"You too, huh?" – Everett observed. "Come in."
"Actually, it is everyone onboard. I just finished my morning tour." – Camille informed.
"And Stealth?" – Everett asked.
"He wasn't in his quarters."
"Of course," – Everett smiled. "Why would he, our resident mystery?"
"Where does he go when he is not with us?" – Matt said.
"I think everyone would like to know the answer to that, Lieutenant." – Everett replied. "Rush, have we dropped out of FTL, yet?"
"No, we are still travelling at reduced speed." – Rush answered.
"Why?"
"I think he thought we would be preserving energy."
"And are we?"
"Well, yes, travelling at lower speed is certainly doing that."
"Haven't you been able to communicate with the ship telling it whatever?"
"I have been but so far the middle situation."
"What does he hope to find near Novas?" – Camille asked.
"I have no idea. It could be many things."
"Good morning, TJ, come in." – Everett had not closed the door. He had the sneaky feeling more will come.
"Do you think we could be headed for the Novas fleets?" – TJ asked startling everyone.
Rush looked at Everett. They did not consider this possibility but the chance of them finding them was very slim.
"I guess we didn't consider that possibility." – Rush said.
"Is it possible he found them?" – Camille asked.
"Well, without credible intel we can't be certain." – Rush replied then turned to TJ. "We did not want you to give your hopes up but the chance of finding them is slim to nonexistent. There is a lot of empty space between Novas and the refuge world where we left the others. We don't know the speed the ships they built are capable of."
"We do know they can't travel in FTL though." – Camille reminded.
"Yes, Camille, this we do but it still doesn't give us their speed or location. We simply don't know."
"He is right we don't." – Everett agreed. He looked at TJ. Their eyes locked for a moment before TJ averted hers. "Well, then, back to the daily stuff…"
They discussed the day ahead and the work to be done then everyone went on their tasks. The first shock came when Dr. Park called. They all rushed to hydroponics and discovered it was blossoming with color and growth.
"I came in with Ron and he is telling me everything is growing like crazy and by touch I could determine the same but it is not possible." – Dr. Park said surprise still in her voice.
"These days, I think this word simply doesn't exist." – Everett noted and everyone smiled.
"Our mysterious guest has a knack for it." – Camille added.
"He is not a guest per say." – Everett corrected her. "He's been with us since the beginning."
"Yes, of course," – Camille said. "What do you do then?"
"We roll with it."
"Why didn't he do the same before?" – Matt asked the logical question.
"He said because it was not the right time." – Everett explained. "Whatever that means."
Life onboard Destiny continued more or less the same. Everyone had their daily tasks. It was only from time to time that they discovered the so called now 'impossible' element. Dr. Stealth's surprises seemed to have no end.
The weapon systems have mysteriously repaired themselves. The shield integrity as Rush discovered had increased efficiency almost twenty percent so now more areas previously unattainable were accessible. He sent teams to look in there. Maybe they will find something useful. He on the other hand was still trying to take control over the systems. But whatever he tried the navigation remained on the course Stealth had placed.
Chloe came to help him at some point. She had a different perspective than him but even she was not able to alter course. Whatever Stealth did was unalterable. The course remained locked at three point five light years from Novas.
Everett had assigned Matt to Eli. Whatever one goes the other follows. Everything was more or less back to normal but Eli's inexplicable behavior was still bothering him and he thought that maybe a friend along will make him feel more comfortable in sharing about the two weeks he had been alone. They had to find out what has happened.
Stealth reappeared the next day just when the ship for everyone surprise dropped out of FTL. There were three addresses available. Everett has formed already teams when Stealth walked into the room. There was again a buzzing sound and the gate shut down.
"What the hell?" – Ron exclaimed.
"Sorry about that." – Stealth smiled.
"Care to elaborate?" – Everett looked questioningly at him.
"Yes, I would. You can't go."
"Then why has the ship dropped?"
"The ship dropped because that is what it does." – Stealth replied. "But you are not going."
"You are not going giving any valid reasons for that." – Everett remarked.
"You want a valid reason – alright. If your people go they will die. Is this valid enough for you?"
"Why would we die?" – Matt asked.
"Because you would, that's why."
"That's not an answer."
"I agree it isn't. What kind of threat is present there?"
Stealth displayed frustration. They were asking again a lot of uncomfortable questions. He sighed deeply and said: "All these planets are infested with the Drones. You go in and they'll come drawn by the use of the gate. Have you forgotten how theses buggers come?"
Everett had to agree. They were back in the very same galaxy that almost got them killed. This is why Eli had come up with the three year stasis plan.
"You dealt with their ships. Can't you do it again?" – Camille asked raising a valid point too.
"What am I to you?" – Stealth exclaimed offended. "Your personal exterminator. Just because I did it once doesn't mean I'm going to do it every time and besides this is your baby now. You deal with the problems. Ha!"
Everett did not take part of this banter. On one side, he wanted to see how Stealth would deal with the problem. But he was right. They should avoid getting head to head with the Drones.
"Colonel, we need the supplies."
"Actually, we don't."
"Then why Destiny dropped out?"
"It is a good question. Rush, any ideas?"
"Yes, come to the bridge." – Rush replied.
They came. Rush was still examining the data he was reading on the screens. It was very confusing.
"What's up?" – Everett asked as he entered the bridge.
Rush was on the command chair and did not reply at once. He then stood up and walked to the console on the back of the bridge. He was checking and rechecking the data received.
"Rush?" – Everett called hoping this century he would actually explain.
"Destiny just received an update."
Everett frowned. This was not uncommon.
"And?" – He asked. "Destiny does receive ones from time to time."
"Yes but this time it is not from where you believe."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we are all thinking it." – Rush said irritably. "We are thinking it is coming from the seed ships but not this time. The source of the transmission is what bothers me."
"Ok, what is the source?"
"Well, this is what I'm trying to find out." – Rush replied.
"Why is this odd?"
"It is because the transmission is Ancient."
"So?"
"So…" – Rush trailed off and finally stopped his pacing from console to console. "Destiny dropped out to receive the transmission which is something that Destiny usually does not do as it usually receives it whether it is in FTL or not via subspace, right?"
"Yes,"
"Ok," – Rush sat on the command chair. "Now, this transmission shows all the signs of Destiny's own code."
"I'm not following."
"When I was aboard the seed ship and Destiny was transmitting, the seed ship opens certain protocols with which it recognizes Destiny. Follow me so far?"
"Aha."
"Ok, now Destiny uses the same method of recognition. We accept it for granted because who else would be communicating with us at a distance other than the seed ships. The odd part is that the transmission we are getting is coming from a source with almost identical recognition protocols as Destiny and no these protocols are not from a seed ship."
"Are you saying there is another Ancient ship out there?" – Everett put two and two together quickly.
"I don't know. I'm trying to pinpoint the location of the transmission."
"Could it be another Destiny?" – Camille asked.
"I don't kn…no, it is not another Destiny. If it was it would have identical identification."
"So it is another ship? But the Ancients launched only the seed ships and Destiny. Could they have launched another ship?"
"I don't know." – Rush exclaimed angrily. "What part of that evades you?"
"Alright, everyone calm down." – Everett stepped in before things heat up. "You said it is almost identical like a twin?"
"It is possible."
"Is Destiny accepting it?"
"Yes."
"So it does recognize it? Does it say who or what is it from?"
"Yes, it does and this is where it gets crazy."
"Yes?"
Rush sighed. "The exact translation makes it the Guardian."
Everett frowned at once. Rush is the only person to whom he had told about Stealth's call sign. And as irony would have it now they were receiving a transmission carrying the same name. It was beyond coincidence.
Everett moved to Rush and whispered so only he could hear him. "You think it could be Stealth?"
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"He is onboard and even if he wasn't he did not seem to have the need to do things this way."
"I agree." – Everett shared after thinking it through. "But then what?"
"I'm not sure. I think Destiny is deliberately keeping me away from the source. Look here. It is covering its location."
"I wonder why."
"Me too."
Destiny then resumed its course and jumped back to FTL.
"What was the transmission about?"
"Update on the course!"
"It is something the seed ships do."
"I know."
"Find out what the hell." – Everett said.
"I will."
What Rush noticed later in the day, was that Destiny had erased all traces of that transmission. When he placed the request for information on it, it was as though Destiny has never received that transmission. It was mind boggling. He wondered what the reason for this level of security and secrecy could be but could not come up with a logical answer.
He returned to the power log, which Destiny had also hidden away. Eli was right. Destiny had diverted significant amount of power away probably into a buffer but he had no access to it and this was even more frustrating. They had control of all the ship's systems and still Destiny was keeping them away from some.
He poked around and soon located a directory where he thought the data was but this time Destiny asked him for a password. He tried the one he used when he cracked the master code but had absolutely no luck as the system did not recognize it as a valid password for that directory.
"Did you find something?" – Everett asked as he came on his evening tour.
"Yes, a roadblock."
"Huh?"
"I found where Destiny keeps all hidden records but it requires a password."
"Stealth?"
"No, he doesn't know. I tried the master code but it didn't work." – Rush replied frustrated. "For some reason Destiny is diverting power, a significant chunk of power, about twenty five percent and keeps it away."
"Each time?"
"No, every one year or so when it goes to recharge twenty five percent of the first moments of recharging are diverted and are kept for a year. And even if the ship is dying that power stays there."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"And the other logs?"
"I think it contains the information on deletion points and that ghost transmission."
"Why ghost?"
"Well, because according to the database we did not receive that transmission."
"This is definitely going on the crazy side." – Everett observed. "Why didn't we notice this before?"
"We haven't because I have never dug this deep into the systems."
Eli finished his rounds and bumped into Stealth. He was just coming out from the storage and looked positively wet.
"What happened to you?"
"Huh?" – Stealth looked at his clothes. "Oh! I fell."
"And you're all soaked?"
"I fell into the swimming pool. Geez!"
"Swimming pool?"
"Yes, do I need to write it down for you or draw you a picture?" – Stealth replied irritably.
Eli stood rooted at this remark. Where on Earth and hell did he manage to find a swimming pool in which to fall in and onboard the ship he had obviously missed to locate? Of course, Stealth did not wait to either answer any further questions or for Eli to have an epiphany, and left by the right corridor leading to the living quarters.
Eli regained his composure wondering whether to share this experience with someone else but decided not to add any more to the already established aura of mystery surrounding Dr. Stealth. He did however venture into the storage to see if he can locate the source of this oddness.
There was of course no swimming pool in there. 'What a stupid notion' Eli thought, 'Of course there aren't any pools in there'. He returned to his task at hand which was to go to bed. Before that he reviewed some of the footage of the day by the kinos. There was nothing of particular interest but this gave him an idea regarding Stealth.
The next day Eli put his idea into motion. He selected a kino and programmed it to follow Stealth everywhere. At first it seemed to work perfectly. Stealth was in the hydroponics moving around the plants humming some melody while stopping here and there touching the leaves or the stems, and the roots.
Some hours later, he left the hydroponics and headed to the infirmary borrowing a few syringes with large needles, a few phials and then he bolted to the main storage. There he took some filings, nails, some metallic covers, wires, parts of computer consoles, broken fuses, a few flashlights, and a few guns. He then moved to the kino room and took four kinos, and a sled. He returned to the storage area where he borrowed some instruments and then disappeared at high speed down the corridor and that is where the kino lost him.
He actually circled back to his storage area where there stood his seven feet high crate. He ventured in all the materials and started assembling and disassembling parts, connecting wires, fusing different elements into and writing software. He had noticed the kino following since it first appeared but did not bother with it until he was done moving around the ship picking up the necessary things.
Later in the day, Destiny dropped out of FTL and presented the crew with three addresses which Everett ordered explored. The crew despite the danger needed to get out from time to time. This time it turned out the risk was not worth taking.
The ship was surrounded by two drone ships and their fighters. Rush dialed up the defenses but it was pretty clear they had to abandon the people on the planet. Rush had no choice but to jump the ship.
Everett and TJ, Matt, Chloe and Volker were the ones left behind. Their Stargate had been destroyed by the drones. They were cut off completely. Rush was now in charge. Camille demanded they go back but it was far too dangerous and besides Rush had no control over the navigational system anyway.
Eli sought Stealth but he was not responding wherever the hell he was. If he were on the planet with them perhaps he would have been able to do something but none of the people on the planet could do anything. They were lost.
Stealth reemerged around night time. He had more things to pick up as the deadline was moving ever so closer. He had four days to save Eli's life.
He learnt of the lost ones and sighed. There was nothing he could for them at the present moment. They had to fend for themselves as they were meant to.
He did bump into Eli though.
"You have to help. They are left behind."
"I don't have time for this."
"We did not lose them the last time."
"The last time, it was you, Camille, Matt and whatever. Things change, Eli."
"You can help!"
"And if I do then you die. Choose!"
"It's not fair."
"Life rarely is." – Stealth said and bolted away.
Meanwhile on the planet, Everett and Matt were building an improvised form of a shelter while Chloe and TJ were looking for something to eat other than the ration packs they carried.
"It was not a good idea to come." – Dr. Volker observed probably for the nth time.
"We had to risk it, Dr. Volker." – Everett said.
"And look at us now." – He remarked caustically. "Stealth said not to risk it. We ought to have listened."
"Stealth doesn't dictate the terms on the ship, Dr. Volker."
"But he was right nonetheless."
"As it turns out, yeah, he was."
"They are not coming for us, are they?" – Chloe asked as she was returning with TJ.
"I'd hope they would but this would be a lie. They have no way of knowing whether the drones left or not and they are not going to risk it." – Everett replied bitterly. "We are on our own. Did you find something?"
"No, but it is getting dark so…"
"Yeah, we are going to try tomorrow."
Darkness fell quickly but at least the view was marvelous. The night sky was splendid – star clusters and probably few nebulas.
Everything seemed so surreal to Everett. A part of him wished they were all dreaming and still in Destiny's pods travelling through the void between galaxies. On the other hand, it was good they made it. For if it was a dream, this time it was far more elaborate. But there was no dream state in the pods, at least that's what Eli said.
Speaking of Eli, Everett wondered what happened to him. He had two weeks to fix a damaged pod or die for the sake of everyone else. Did he die or something else happened? Was this their Eli or some imposter? It was difficult to tell but he looked like he had lived a different life.
And what was his connection with Stealth? How did he fit into the story? How did he manage to do all these impossible feats? And more to the point where was the man who appeared through the gate just five days ago? They have all forgotten all about him because of Stealth.
So many questions so little answers, Everett wondered. Who, what, where and why: maybe someday he would get the answers or at least some of them.
"Good night!" – He wished to everyone and so they responded the same.
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Lordheaven