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 4
Occupation
Previously...
Destiny's crew wakes up after three years in the stasis pods. Everything seems ok until they find a deletion point and no explanation. Even Eli is acting out of character hiding something about the two weeks.
Destiny then jumps out of FTL and a stranger comes aboard but he bolts away before anyone could stop him. All attempts to find the stranger fail until he reappears in the disguise of Dr. Ian Stealth who briefly takes over the ship and returns it to the previous galaxy and sets a new course taking the ship closely back to Novas. Every attempt to alter course fails.
On one stop out of FTL, Colonel Young, Lieutenants Scott and Johansen, Chloe and Dr. Volker become stranded on a world after the Stargate is destroyed by an old foe – the drone ships. Destiny resumes course.
The crew is devastated by the loss but they have to go on. Dr. Rush's attempts to restore control over the navigation system keep ending in failure. Dr. Broody informs that Destiny would make two stops before it reaches its final destination. These two stops are the stranded ones only chance. But the crew knows that without a gate it is not going to be possible.
Meanwhile, the stranded ones discover gateways left by an unnamed alien or indigenous race. Understanding the gateways takes them some time. But in the end, Lieutenant Johansen figures it out and they set out to catch up with Destiny.
And Dr. Stealth, the resident mystery, works around the clock, without telling anyone on what, to save Eli's life.
And now...
The mighty ship Destiny dropped out of FTL into a solar system. Camille decided it best to have it checked out by shuttle as it was in range of a planet. Brody, Grier and James boarded the shuttle and proceeded out. Dr. Rush remained on the bridge so he can guide them.
The world was exclusive full of forests and very old of that. Moss covered all the trees from top to bottom. Brody landed successfully the shuttle just outside such a forest. There were a few edibles in sight so Lieutenant James moved to gather as much as she could.
Sergeant Grier made a sweep of the immediate area. He did not want any surprises to come running to them. But there was nothing but mossy forest around. Even the air was very still. It was like no living creature had come here in a very long time.
"This is a very depressing place." – Brody remarked.
"It is very old."
"Did you find anything other than trees?"
"No, there are no signs of civilization or anything else. James, are you done?"
"Almost," James finished. They boarded the shuttle and left. Little they knew that just a click into the forest there was a treasure just as precious and as valuable as the Stargate itself: the alien portal. The shuttle docked with Destiny and the ship jumped back to FTL.
And just a few seconds before that Everett, Chloe, Matt, Volker and TJ had appeared into that very same forest. They scouted the area but found nothing of interest either. Tamara focused onto the second world she had seen and set the portal ready. Everett and Matt returned from the scouting and they crossed to the next world.
They emerged through the other side to a dark space with phosphorous glow. It was some kind of cave. With the flashlights they sought their way out of the caves. The climb took a very long time as the constant turns, going up and down, seemed to have no end.
But they reached the top and stood out at the ledge. The view was magnificent. They were standing atop a lake bathed in starlight – millions and millions of stars, constellations and nebulas. The lake was vast and went as far as the eyes could see (the horizon) where the coast was clear.
There was no immediate, apparent way down the ledge. The rocky walls were almost vertical. Unfortunately they did not have any climbing gear and it was way too risky to attempt this during the night. So, they made camp around the ledge and went to sleep.
The morning came gradually and when they opened their eyes the scenery had changed drastically. The amazement and shock was present on all their faces. There was no sign of the vast lake. Instead there was a vast meadow with inviting aroma and the yellow light of a perfect sun.
"This is so beautiful." – Chloe couldn't resist exclaiming.
"What happened to the…you know…the lake?" – Volker asked after getting over the initial shock.
"Could this be an illusion?" – Everett asked.
"If it is it is the most sophisticated one." – Volker replied.
A sudden beep made everyone jump. Volker dived into his bag and took out the pad and he lit up with joy.
"It's Destiny. It just appeared on the screen."
Everyone rejoiced at the news. But now they had to send a signal for this was their last chance.
"Dr. Volker, Dale, did it work?" – Everett asked.
"We'll find out soon enough."
His joy however withered. The pad indicated insufficient power to perform the suggested task.
"We're screwed. We have no way of telling them we're here."
"Dr. Volker, is it by any chance showing a gate?" – Chloe asked.
"No, it is just showing Destiny." – Volker shook head. "Why?"
"Well, why has Destiny dropped to a sol where there are no gates?"
"Uh, this is an interesting question."
"Was it like this the previous time?"
"I think so."
"So Destiny has dropped twice where there are no gates? It is a bit too much of a coincidence, don't you think?"
"I haven't thought of it that way."
"So no coincidence?" – Everett asked.
"I don't think so." – Chloe replied. "I mean what are the chances it has dropped on random like that?"
"In the millions, no, in the billions," – Volker said.
"Destiny knows we're in trouble and drops to the only places where we can be rescued?" – Matt frowned. He did not appear to be inclined into this theory.
"I know." – Chloe nodded. "It is a bit farfetched but what other explanation do you find?"
"There could be many reasons…"
"And we happen to be on both worlds just by accident? I don't think so, Matt."
"Alright, I'll bite." – Matt said. "How does Destiny know we'd be here?"
"That is also an interesting question. Some of time that ship gives me the willies." – Volker shared.
"So?"- Everett said. "We wait for a rescue or simple planet reconnaissance?"
"It's probably the latter." – Volker said. "I don't think they'd expect we'd be here."
"Yeah, they think we're still stranded." – Chloe exclaimed.
Meanwhile on Destiny, the mysterious and reclusive Dr. Ian Stealth was making the final touches to his secret project when he sensed something slightly burning in his pocket. He rummaged through it and found a leathered wallet. He opened it and gaped.
'Stranded…they think we're still stranded…'
"Huh? Curious…" – Stealth exclaimed. He bolted to the control room. He adjusted the sensors and picked up five life signs on the surface of the seventh world. "Huh, what do you know? Destiny is really hard to escape. Oh, well, let's go fetch them but not with you. I need the shuttle."
Dr. Stealth headed to the shuttle bay. Brody was there preparing to leave. Stealth had no time to make explanations so he knocked the good doctor flat on his back, closed the shuttle doors and started the engines.
The doors closed and the shuttle's engines kicked in. The radio activated.
"Ah, Mr. Brody, the crew is not with you. I have Sergeant Grier on his way. Mr. Brody?"
It was Camille's voice.
"He's resting, Wray so shush!"
"Stealth? What the hell is going on?"
"I'll explain later thought it would be self explanatory."
"Where are you going? We had a mission planned for the forth planet!"
"Sorry, that's not where I'm going. Oi, Rush, you there?"
"Yes, I can hear you!"
"Are you on the bridge?"
"No."
"Well get there. There is very little time to explain."
"Where are you going?" – Camille insisted.
"I'm going to the seventh planet and I need you, Rush, to stall the ship."
"You know we can't control the clock!"
"Go to the Effing Bridge!"
After five, six minutes, Rush restored contact. "I'm here. Now what…"
"Good, sit on the command chair…"
"I'm there…"
"Good, now do exactly as I tell you…"
Everett dared look down the rocky walls right from the edge of the ledge. It was not very encouraging. There were very few places they could hold should they decide to climb down but then again he was uncertain what they will find down there. It could be the lake it could the meadow.
"How is it, sir?" – Matt asked after Everett pulled away.
"It's not encouraging. There were few grappling places."
"We may not have the choice, sir."
"Yeah, I know." – Everett sighed.
"Or maybe we could try our luck on another planet?" – Volker suggested.
"No," – Everett shook head. "We have…are so close now. If they don't pick us up we are stranded for good. True, we could find a different place to be. This planet is weird."
"Very weird,"
"Well, we have to decide what to do: do we start climbing down or do we sit tight and wait for Destiny to rescue us?"
"The problem is we don't know how big this solar system is." – Volker shared his concern. "It could be just one planet it could be many."
"But there is still a chance and as long as there is one we wait."
"Didn't work last time though."
"Last time we missed Destiny by an inch. Now we are ahead. They will be here for at least four hours before they jump." – Chloe said.
"Alright then we wait." – Everett concluded.
And they sat waiting. There was nothing else to do but pray and hope. Time was growing short but what else was there to do.
The four hours were drawing to the last minute and still no rescue. It seemed like Dr. Volker was right the solar system was big and Destiny had picked a different world. They had no way of communicating with the ship to tell them they are here.
They were giving up. Of course, hope was the last straw to go but it was slipping away by the minute.
"The four hours are up."
"Is Destiny still in range?" – Everett asked.
"For now," – Volker replied. "But we are on borrowed time."
"Alright, Lieutenant, let's double back to the portal and see if we can find another worl…" – Everett words were cut short as a shockwave crossed the air.
"What the hell was that?" – Volker exclaimed.
"It was…sounded like a sonic boom." – Matt replied.
"Look!" – Chloe exclaimed and pointed north. There was a growing dot in the distance.
"Is that a shuttle? Our shuttle…"
"We are…they are here."
Chloe was not very wrong. Destiny's shuttle was approaching fast but it did not appear to be slowing down either. It was incoming way too fast.
"Scott, get them down the caves. The shuttle is out of control." – Everett ordered.
They moved quickly to shelter as the shuttle was now really close and really out of control, and was heading straight for their ledge. They expected it to crush just any second now but what they heard was really weird. It sounded like the shuttle hit the surface, a watery surface – splash, thud, splash and bam!
When they dared look, they saw the back of the shuttle stuck into the ledge's aperture. The shuttle's back door had opened and a figure dropped to the ground. They ran to it and saw it was Dr. Stealth. He was barely breathing and unconscious.
"What the he…" – Volker exclaimed. "This planet is very weird."
"So we are under the water?" – Chloe asked for clarity. It seemed impossible but that's what it sounded like.
"It would appear so."
"Scott, check the shuttle for damage." – Everett commanded. "Is he going to be alright?"
"Yeah, it must be just the impact. He'll come around." – Tamara replied after checking him up.
"Destiny, this is Lieutenant Scott, come in!" – Matt called on the radio but there was only static. "The radio is down." He informed.
"And the shuttle's status?"
"It will fly, sir."
"Good, let's get to…"
"Stop!" – Stealth growled eyes wide open and stirring up. "The plahet is protect…"
"Don't talk!"
"The planet is protected?" – Everett repeated.
Stealth took a deep breath and pulled himself up. "The planet is protected."
"We heard that part. Protected how?"
"It has multiple air cushions, layers if you wish though they are not really layers, forget the layers, it has different levels of air currents, which is why I dropped so fast. The engines are warped. It would take at least an hour for them to cool off. And the ledge you are on is under a water cushion…"
"What does this mean?" – Volker asked perplexed. "Last night we were overlooking a lake and this morning a meadow."
"That's because you think you are on a planet and we're not." – Stealth replied.
"If we are not on a planet then on what are we?" – Everett asked.
"An asteroid, planetoid, floating rock, space station, what?" – Chloe demanded.
"Neither."
"Neither?" – They were all now very confused.
"Well, ahem, we are on random energy cushions I suppose it was the best way to describe it, which are attracted together by some energy source. It does resemble a planet but it isn't. It takes the properties of the nearby celestial bodies and translates them onto itself. So every day and night it will be different, more or less."
"What?" Stealth's explanation did not put their concerns at bay it actually confused them even more.
"Imagine energy particles forming a…ahem…huh…a net. Then other energy particles form other nets which superpose on another and together they form a complex maze of nets. Each of them can take physical or any other form. They absorb the surrounding view emitted by the other celestial bodies and translated upon themselves thus creating the illusion that one is on a planet and every night and day the scenery alters. Yeah, something like that."
The explanation did not help understand any better either. It was still very confusing. They were on a planet that was not a planet. Onto something that could be physical and yet not at all at the same time.
"Now, get in, the shuttle, I mean." – Stealth said and moved inside.
The problem was the engines were indeed warped and they weren't going anywhere. The other problem was time. Stealth knew they did not have much time left. Destiny was going to pass very close to this odd natural formation, which was leaving them with two hours at most. He had to find a solution in the next twenty minutes or they would be stuck.
But the engines were still stuck in the next fifteen minutes. Time was growing shorter. Stealth had done everything from within the shuttle but the problem was outside.
"Lieutenant Scott, Destiny will be on this course. Once we leave the atmosphere…"
"I thought you said it was not a planet?" – Matt interrupted.
"It is not but it doesn't mean it doesn't have an atmosphere. Pay attention!" – Stealth exclaimed frustrated. "We have to take off in the next four minutes…make that three minutes or we'll miss our window. Once you clear the atmosphere, enter this course and max thrust. Capish?"
"Yes,"
"Good lad,"
Stealth moved the back of the shuttle. Matt tried the engines again using different combinations but nothing worked. He tried again and again nothing, and then there was a buzzing sound and the engines kicked in.
Everett looked back and saw the shuttle's doors closed and Stealth on the other side.
"Stealth, get back in!"
But it was no use. Judging by Matt's face, the shuttle's controls for the rear hatch were not responding and the shuttle was taking off. And it was not Matt's doing. The persistent buzzing sound grew more and more distant until it dissipated.
"Damn it, Stealth!" – Everett exclaimed powerless. "Go back for him!"
"I can't, sir, the controls are fused. It is not letting me alter course."
The radio activated. "Sorry, Colonel, it was the only way." It was Stealth.
"But you're stranded now…"
"Don't worry about me." – Stealth interrupted. "Just get back to Destiny. Everyone will need you now more than ever. Dark times are coming…time for the truth…"
"What? What truth – you are breaking up!"
"The universe is vast and enormous and filled with wonder and sometimes they are these things that happen and we call them miracles. One dark miracle is about to ascend to you but you have to fight it for it is the only way. Don't worry about me I will be there. Now go!"
And the buzzing sound translated onto the radio signal and the shuttle accelerated and with one last push left the atmosphere of the non planet. An hour and a half, Destiny came into view and soon they landed.
When the doors opened, Rush was waiting on the other side. He was relieved to see them and then Destiny jumped back to FTL. There was literally no time to go back for Dr. Stealth. But the explanations about their adventure took most of the time and it was quite an adventure.
Down on the non planet, Ian Stealth descended into the secluded cave where the crystal amber portal was.
"So, it is you who brought me here. Don't worry, I told them nothing of you. They still think it was a planet or a non planet or whatever. Thank you for harboring them and telling Destiny where to pick them up. Now, I have to catch up though the gates were certainly not designed for this. But they'll have to. The end time is fast approaching and one dark miracle is about to hit them in the balls hard. But then again it was always meant to be. There is something fixed in there that I have to alter it and there is only one way to do it."
Destiny continued in FTL for nearly two days and then on the third day it dropped out. By Rush's estimation they were four point six light years from planet Novas, and he was also right there was absolutely nothing there – no sun, no planets, just empty space. The trouble was Destiny had turned off the clock, which meant they were stuck in the middle of nowhere for unspecified time.
"So now what?" – Everett asked when they gathered on the bridge.
"Now – nothing," – Rush replied.
"Nothing? Do we have control of the navigation system?"
"Nope!"
"I thought it was supposed to get them back once we reach the destination."
"I thought that too but apparently not and even if we had it we still have to wait at least four hours before jumping again."
"Right,"
Everett was not happy of this and if Stealth gets back there somehow he would most certainly strangle him.
"Colonel Young?" – Brody called.
"Yes, Mr. Brody,"
"Ah, the ship is accelerating."
"What? Where to?"
Rush moved to see the data. The ship had entered what appeared to an intercept course.
"That's odd!" – He mumbled.
"Rush?"
"The ship had entered an intercept course."
"What?" – Everett shook head out of confusion. "Intercept?"
"Yes,"
"Intercept what?"
"I have no idea." – Rush shook head. "Dr. Volker, is there something on the long range sensors?"
"Yeah…" – Volker's voice trailed off. "Destiny is picking up a ship…I think."
"You think?"
"Yeah, it is definitely something."
"Confirmed, we're heading straight for it." – Brody said.
"Lieutenant Scott, go to the observatory level? What do you see?" – Everett commanded.
"Well," – Matt replied fixing his gaze on the growing in the distance dot. "It might be a ship."
"Why again with the uncertainty – is it a ship or not?"
"Oh, yeah, it is a definitely a ship, a big one."
"It's Ancient. It is an Ancient ship." – Eli informed.
"Is it one of the seed ships?" – Everett asked. "Rush? Where the hell is he?"
"He's here." – Matt said.
"Eli, it is more than just an Ancient ship. Colonel, this ship is Lantean." – Rush stated.
"WHAT? How is this possible?"
"I have no idea."
Rush was right the ship fast growing in size was indeed of Lantean design. It was bigger than the standard Lantean warships. Actually, in size it resembled more a supersized Wraith hive ship, and it was heading straight for them.
Once reaching one solar unit distance, Destiny fired up the retro boosters and came to a relative stop. The Lantean ship made the rest of the distance and moved to docking procedures.
"Take your positions!" – Everett ordered.
"I hear we're docking with a Lantean vessel?" – Camille asked when she arrived at the docks.
"Technically, they are docking with us." – Everett replied.
"Maybe this is our ticket home."
"How so?"
"Well, they are the Ancients, the gate builders, the ship builders, they know how it works and they can help us get home."
"First, we have to be sure they are the ancients." – Rush said on the radio.
"He won't give up easily." – Camille said.
"We'll see." – Everett said. "Rush, have you made contact with them?"
"I've been trying. They are not responding."
"Doors opening!" – Matt announced.
The docking doors opened but no Ancient came through. Instead a giant metallic ball rolled in. Everett moved to take a better look.
"What the hell is that?"
But he did not need to wait for long. An energy spark crossed through the metallic body and then sudden energy buildup made it full clear what it is. The energy wave passed through the entire airlock and most corridors knocking everyone unconscious. Well, not everyone, Rush was the only one on the bridge and he was protected of the blast but the rest of his crew was not so lucky.
And then they came through wearing the protective suits. But Rush recognized them they were the Ancients. Why were they attacking? He made it clear who they were by the transmission he had sent. Maybe they did not want to waste any time with tearful explanations that this is their ship and they are its masters.
Rush however did not intend to give up this easily. He took a few kinos on the way, a few pads, and one gun and hid. He had no intention of being captured but he couldn't stay on the bridge either.
Eight people dressed in the original Lantean clothing came through the docking hatch. They reached those ahead of them in the control room.
"Proceed to the bridge!" – One of the suited ones ordered (they're all speaking in Ancient but for the convenience of the story it will be in English. When there is a shift I shall inform). Four proceeded immediately to the bridge which they found to be void of anyone. They took on positions on navigation, ops, weapons and power supply.
"Bridge is secure!"
"Excellent, seal all the defensive perimeter. Put the humans in the restricted areas."
"Certainly, Commander Veun."
The Ancients split up and performed their duties with frightening accuracy. The members of the Icarus expedition were all placed in what used to be storage six. The doors controls on their end had been disabled.
"Commander Veun,"
"Yes, Chief Vidora," – Veun responded.
"I'm unable to gain control over the navigational system."
"What?"
"The system is heavily encrypted."
"Decrypt it as soon as possible, in the meantime, have the Venkrat tow us."
"I shall inform the crew."
Destiny started moving slowing towed by the Ancient vessel Venkrat. They were not yet ready to jump to FTL as Destiny has not been fully secured.
"Are all humans secured?"
"Yes, Commander,"
"Check the ship; see what other damages these savages have done."
"Yes, Commander,"
Rush was observing this particular conversation. For him it was quite educational to hear the language spoken though he did not appreciate the meaning of the Ancient leader.
"Activate internal sensors?"
"Their system has been cannibalized by the savages. It will take some time to repair and we will need some materials for that." – Lieutenant Panus reported.
"Chief Vidora, how is navigation coming?"
"Not well, Commander," – Vidora replied. "There is a course input in the system. It will take the ship one light year from this location, direction to the savage's previous home world – Novas!"
"What could they possibly be doing there?" – Panus wondered.
"Their fleet is there." – Commander Veun interrupted. "But they are not going to salvage it. They won't get that chance."
"Ah, Commander, I cannot alter course. Destiny will jump in three hours."
"Sabotage the engines until we fix it."
"I wish I could but the engine room is sealed and the retro weapon system is active should we try from behind."
"What?"
"Whoever placed this subroutine knew exactly what he was doing."
Rush could not help it but feel very thankful and proud of Dr. Stealth's interference right now. His meddling was so good that not even the Ancients could undo it. But now he had to focus on pressing matters. He had to make contact with the detained and not get caught in the process.
He managed to slip past the Ancients' guards and into a lab. From there he accessed the system trying to learn as much as possible about their newest guests. They were clearly from Atlantis but how they got on this side of the universe was a mystery.
He stayed into the system for as long as it was safe but then left. He did not want to attract unnecessary attention. His crew was held at storage six and thus he proceeded there as carefully as possible.
Accessing the room from the front door was not possible. The Ancients had left a kino to guard. It was recording everything. He had to find an alternate route. There was a service vent close by he slipped into it. He passed around the storage area and came from the rear. Now came the dangerous part. He had to alert the people inside. He started banging as silently as possible.
"Colonel!" – Matt called.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Do you hear that?" – Matt had pressed his ear to the wall.
Everett followed his lead. He heard a muffled yet very distinctive banging. The banging had a repeating pattern.
"It's Morse!"
"What does it say?"
"Ha!" – Everett exclaimed both relieved and surprised. "It's Rush. He wasn't caught in the blast."
"What does he say?" – Camille asked.
"He says: there are four…no sixty Ancients onboard plus whatever they have left on the ship, their ship…he is going to try to create a diversion. And learn as much as possible about them…"
"He is saying all that?"
"No, but I'm reading between the lines." – Everett replied and continued listening. "There is a kino outside the door. No guards…" Everett banged back in return to let Rush he understood the message. "Contact again in twenty four hours…"
"That long?"
"Camille, they have the ship. They don't know about Rush and we should keep it that way."
"They are our only…"
"Camille, they did not want to talk. They opened fire first and now we are prisoners. I don't know how it is in your book but in mine this is hostile behavior – ancients or otherwise."
"But if we explained…"
"As much as hate to say this – we belong on this ship. It is our home and by the Gods we will defend it."
"And they are the Ancients…"
"No, they came from Atlantis. They are not the Ancients who built this ship."
"Ah, Camille, sir," – Chloe intervened. "We simply do not know much about anything. At this point we are just guessing. We should leave Dr. Rush to collect the necessary information."
"Yes, of course, Chloe, you're right." – Everett nodded in agreement.
"Well, certainly my day did not include this dark and gloomy end." – Brody observed.
"Dark?" – Everett suddenly remembered something and kicked himself mentally. "Oh…"
"Sir?" – Matt moved to him.
"What is it Colonel?"
"Stealth…"
"Oh God what about him…"
"He warned me of this."
"What?"
"He said: dark miracle is about to ascend upon us. I never thought he meant the Ancients."
"How did he know?"
"Well, I think we can all say for certain that he's proven to be accurate though utterly mysterious." – Chloe said.
"Yes, this mystery, never ending mystery…" – Everett sighed.
"Did he say anything else?" – Brody asked.
"Well, he did say he will be here."
"Well, he will miss this appointment." – Matt said. "We left him behind. There is no way he can catch up with us."
"Never underestimate the mysterious types, Lieutenant." – Everett said. "I don't know how but I have feeling he will be here."
"Until then, we have to figure what they are going to do about us."
"They will probably leave us on some planet." – Volker sighed.
"We will see."
Rush managed to get access to the Ancient warship Venkrat. It was a state of the art super vessel. Rush had not seen such advancements on any Lantean warship the SGC has ever come across.
He made his way as silently as possible and into the first secluded lab he could find. The Ancients had not changed in one very useful regard – the public database. He spent there many hours undetected sipping through tons of information. What he learnt was not very encouraging.
The ship's name apparently was derived from a very old dispute, a war in the Milky Way Galaxy between the Ancients and this race called the Venkrat. The crew of the Venkrat was from the very distant past of the Lanteans – sixty thousand years. They had the calculations of Destiny's most likely location on the universal grid although all this seemed to Rush like a giant guessing game.
But somehow they managed to extrapolate Destiny's relative position. They had apparently taken into account all possible disasters along the path – attacks, natural interferences, lack of power and time of drifting.
And then using a modified version of the intergalactic hyper drive they have managed to catch up. Well, it had taken almost sixty thousand years but it was still quite an accomplishment. They had covered a distance of several billions lights years in just that time while it took Destiny several hundred thousand years.
From the logs of the ship, Rush saw they had visited Novas almost thirty one years ago. This is where Rush frowned. They had spent time interrogating people from both nations and learnt they were the descendants of the crew of Destiny who were not Ancients. They had learnt also of every mission the crew of Destiny had ever performed before the time accident.
The Venkrat was not thrilled to learn the humans controlled their ship. So they waited and waited until Destiny came into their sight.
Rush was now confused. He and his crew woke up three years later into the next galaxy and yet Destiny had returned to the previous galaxy, the galaxy they left three years ago. The log indicated this is the first time the Venkrat had come across Destiny. It was odd. Something was definitely off. Rush could not really put his fingers on it though.
Meanwhile, Commander Veun and his crew have studied all these humans have done and it coincided with everything the nations of Novas had told them. They have come from planet Terra, now called Earth. They had apparently dialed the ninth chevron address and spent almost two full years onboard trying to survive at their best. They had made many enemies but managed to maintain the ship as best as they could, which in itself for such deficient species was quite an achievement.
Of course, the buildup of the nations of Novas due to the temporal anomaly was an achievement too and in only two thousand years but the essential was there too – they were not their own. The ancients and what was left of them had followed the path of ascension and higher plains of existence. It was the path of cowards, for those who wished a quick fix.
But all this did not matter anymore. The crew of the Venkrat was now master of the ship. Veun had only to decide what to do with the humans. He could let them on some planet or reunite them with their descendants.
Of course, there was the other matter of the ship's condition. It is bad shape and they had to fix it. Of course their, own ancestors had placed a very specific built in code preventing the ship from landing anywhere. But they had to repair it and soon. Materials could be found easily, and logically someone had to extract them. Now he knew what to do with them.
Veun had studied their language. It was rather simple and primitive. It had roots with the original tongue though mostly scattered but he and his crew learnt it quickly.
"Bring in their leader." – Veun commanded. "From now on, you will all speak their language as apparently they understand ours."
"Yes, Commander,"
Everett was brought before Commander Veun on the observatory deck.
"Colonel Young," – Veun started. "It is pronounced this way, right?"
"Yes," – Everett nodded. They had learnt English rather quickly. It was actually frightening.
"You understand we find ourselves in a difficult position. I understood from your mission files that you were not expecting to find a ship instead some cache of knowledge or whatever." – Veun continued. "But you were stranded on our ship and you did your best to both survive and keep the ship running. This is an expected achievement and credit to your primitive race. But we are back and this is our ship. So you see the problem?"
"You wonder what to do with us." – Everett helped out.
"Yes," – Veun nodded and started pacing around.
"We can learn much from each other." – Everett said.
"Ah," – Veun sounded condescending. "I doubt your primitive race has anything to offer. However…"
"However?"
"This ship has suffered a lot of damage and it will take some time to repair it and…"
Everett smiled bitterly perfectly following the meaning between the lines. "You need the labor force." Everett shook head. "You are the race we call the Ancients, the gate builders. Surely you can manage without us."
"This is true. I have more than enough people on my crew but your people, Colonel, have spent some time on our ship. You know our technology well enough to survive two whole years. And this is very useful." – Veun said. He sat down on the chair before Everett. "It would seem we will be sharing the ship, at least for a while."
"So? What? You're going to use us and then dump us. No deal!" – Everett had learnt to read between the lines.
"You hardly are in a position to bargain, Colonel. You see I can easily let you on some planet. It doesn't have to be habitable or breathable."
"You might as well kill us now."
"This is very true too but then someone would have to clean the bloody mess. Of course, I can easily space you too. Yes, that leaves no trail. But it doesn't serve me."
"That's your problem."
"And apparently yours," – Veun's voice thundered. "You made a lot of enemies, Colonel. You even have given vital information to alien races. You will carry the consequences. So you and your people will mine the materials we need to repair the ship while my people will ensure that the enemies you made in this galaxy don't end us."
"I don't think so."
"You hardly have the choice, Colonel. I can see what you are made of. You won't let your people suffer. Killing you would be easy but I doubt you will stand watching your people suffer and your descendants. Oh, yes, we know about Novas. Heck, as you say, we even know the exact location of their ships, their entire armada." Veun sneered. He stood up and moved to the railing pointing at his ship. "You see the Venkrat was specifically designed for combat. It has multi tracker capability. Its firepower outweighs anything Lantean you could have ever encountered. In simpler words, it has enough firepower to destroy a planet. So yes, you will cooperate or I will start with your descendants. First we'll go after that little settlement you left them on and then we will take care of their armada. But don't worry we won't destroy the ships completely. No, we will start small – hull breaches would lead to decompression and mostly suffocation, space exposure and so on, a slow death in the cold of space."
Everett could hardly believe what he was hearing. Their knowledge of the Ancients depicted them as race that helps, that builds but he had never thought them capable of such evil even in words. Dr. Jackson always mentioned they were arrogant and with a few complexes but this was overboard.
It seemed after all that every race carries the seeds of destruction and evil, even the great Ancients. They were not some perfect race. They were like everyone else with their highs and lows.
"So, Colonel, what is going to be?"
"I have to speak with my people."
"Aren't you their leader?"
"I am but it changes nothing. They have the right to make up their own mind."
"Very well," – Veun ceded. He was actually quite amused but it was also important to learn of their interactions. "I will give you a day. Take him back to his people."
"Yes, Commander,"
Rush had heard this conversation and did not like even one bit of it as it did not reciprocate on the image they had built for the Ancients. These people were acting like bullies and general pains in the bottom. They were nothing like the Ancients they knew. They were more like humans, like gangsters. It was extremely unusual. But the database was clear. They were Lanteans.
Rush sighed deeply. He was alone in this fight. He could not risk getting to his crew again. It was too dangerous. Veun had posted guards everywhere. Rush wished now he had some field soldier training. But then again, he was Mr. Smarty for a reason. He may not be able to fight them hand to hand but he could outsmart them and he needed a plan, a good plan. He was not going to let Veun exploit his crew. He was the only one allowed to do so.
And in this moment, Destiny pushed away from the Venkrat and a few moments later it jumped to FTL.
Veun went straight to the bridge.
"Report!"
"The ship jumped." – Vidora replied.
"I noticed." – Veun retorted. "Why haven't you got control over the navigation?"
"A series of subroutines kicked in and shut us off. Destiny is now in full control."
"Purged them."
"I'm trying but whatever and whoever did it, knows these systems intimately."
"Lieutenant Vidora," – Veun said slowly with rising threat in his voice. "We have the blueprints of this ship. Find the fault and remove it!"
"It is not as easy. Destiny has developed an AI configuration that has grown since the day it was released into the universe. It takes time to override it."
Veun exhaled deeply. "Where…what is the ship's course?"
"The ship had set course for the void between galaxies."
"WHAT?" – Veun exclaimed. "You said it is going somewhere within one light year radius."
"I did but this is the course the damn ship had input now. Care to check?"
"Mind your words, Lieutenant." – Veun said with flashing eyes. The threat now was more tangible. "Get us control over this ship." And he stormed out.
But in the next twelve hours Destiny maintained its course and speed. Veun was ranting upside down the ship. The inability of his crew to take complete control over the ship was unnerving. The Venkrat was left behind because as advanced as that ship was it was unable to track Destiny into FTL.
For Rush, this was an opportunity. There were only sixty Ancients onboard. But in order to free his people he had to have some control over the ship's systems otherwise the resistance will be over before it actually begins.
Meanwhile, back at the non planet, Ian Stealth was working around the clock. He has already managed to take the alien gateway apart. The console now did not look much like one. There were crystals spread all over the ground. The constant buzzing sound was present too.
Parts of the amber crystal gate/portal were also on the ground. Stealth was manipulating them. He needed them to perform a task their original creators never thought of. The reprogramming of crystalline parts was far more difficult that reprogramming a computer, not to mention they were really old.
"Ah, what?" – Stealth lifted his head and listened though there was no discernable noise or voice but he answered it, whatever it was, nevertheless. "I know. They will be back. I had to buy some time."
There was a pause of some hour before whatever it was engaged Stealth's attention again.
"A? Oh, yeah, thank you," He continued to alter the crystalline structures. It was fascinating as though he could see the actual particles that made the crystal. "Oh, no, back…ahem…back there…we used to visit the Yulee. It is similar to you but they were more transcendental than inter. Yeah, I imagine. Well, not all beings are like us. We communicate with every sentient and otherwise creature. Oh, we learn. It is a long educational process and then…what? Well, we have a larger span…ha…not like you no…but…what – oh, yeah, you could say that."
And the silence took over again. Stealth continued working until one of the crystals actually blew up.
"Ah, Santa Clausine of crap…" – He exclaimed. The useless piece of crystal was now lying all burnt up. "Tentacles and fluffy can't you do anything proper? Tentacles…." He paused in mid sentence and slapped himself on the head. "Of course, how retarded have I become around these humans? Tentacle here tentacle there…oh YES…I gotta you now baby."
And he took the crystals again in hand but this time his plan was even more brilliant than before. He finally understood how the aliens have made this lovely technology. And humming and singing with lovely buzzing he was one step closer to bring yet another chapter to a happy ending.
The invisible being he seemed to be communicating with began talking to him again.
"Oh, no, it is actually quite fascinating. The tentacles form a trans and inner connection intertwining on sub and normal level. Each tentacle is a stream, a torrent of flowing signal and energy, a river of light and dark particles and intertwining they form a boat though it is nothing like an actual boat and of course you have no clue what a boat is but imagine it as a flow string…yes, yes…and in between the tornado of stuff we have the transcendental non predictable constant creation of light and dark particles that some might call exotic particles that exist outside of all known forms of laws and have inherently destabilizing properties or antiparticles. And all these lovely elements have bond between each other…nature is balance and stuff…So when one comes to terms with that one can navigate through the vastness of incredibly confusing flow of information…are you following me…of course not…don't even bother. And thus the networks of fixated gateways slash portals is or are like fixed points or stations or bus stops along the path of this vastly not that much sophisticated but rather entangling wibbly wobbly, timey whimie, crossing or intersection of non intersecting pathways and flying debris we call particles and…oh, it's asleep. Ha, trying to keep up with us is never easy…"
Stealth smiled and continued working in silence. His work though was starting to take shape and form. His understanding of the technology was now greater and achieving what he wanted was just a matter of time.
"And we connect this here and…no, no, no, no, onto there…" Stealth continued talking though more to himself than anyone else. "And then little particle goes in here…oi…get in…good and now for the fuselage…goody…oh, no, no, no, no burning, no boom…good lad and now mi lassie for the crowning ceremony…oh, crap!"
He thrust the crystal onto the ground frustrated. It was possible that what he wanted may not be possible but he had no choice. He had to return to Destiny. He forgot a package there among other things.
Destiny returned to normal space. It was in orbit of a rogue planet that has drifted outside the galaxy. Veun finally understood why Destiny had changed course. It was not the unknown trouble that did it, it was the ship itself.
The planet had some atmosphere left but it was all too clear that space suits will be required for the mining. Fortunately, they had brought many of those. It would fit the humans perfectly.
Veun reached storage six and commanded the doors opened. He entered. Colonel Young moved to meet him.
"Colonel Young, time is up!"
"You said a day!" – Everett reminded.
"Well, we have arrived at our destination. Time's up! What is it going to be?"
"The answer is no!" – Tamara said and stepped forward. "You and your people can go to hell."
Commander Veun smiled. "Wrong choice, take her!" Tamara was taken away. "Now, Colonel, you have ten minutes to decide after that she goes into space with no suit!"
Everett was in a really bad position. He wanted to really kill Veun but he had to make a choice – his people's continuous survival or the momentarily pleasure of sucking the life out of this vermin.
Camille stepped forward and touched Everett's shoulder. "We have no choice." Everett turned around and faced her. Their stayed locked for a moment. But it was Matt, Grier and Eli that broke the silence. They launched themselves at Commander Veun and his other six guards.
Veun kicked himself mentally for being this imprudent. He had now to defend himself. He had the mistake to underestimate the humans. Fortunately more of his people came and the humans were subdued.
"Now, Colonel," – Veun spat. He took a weapon in hand, pointed at it at random in the crowd of humans and pulled the trigger.
"Dr. Summers!" – Camille exclaimed but it was too late. The young female was gone. "You brute!"
"Enough!" – Veun thundered. "You will work. We have a ship to fix after the messes you put it through. You resist, Young, again and I'll shoot two more. Get them into suits!"
Everett stood powerless when Veun shot the young scientist. He now wanted to rip him to pieces but he had to control his anger. Their time will come and then God help them. For now they had to play along.
His people were taken one by one. His turn came too. On the way to the shuttles, he caught a glimpse of Rush. He was still at large, the good though slightly insane uncle of the lot. This gave Everett the courage and hope he craved for right now.
The Ancients put them into space suits. They were different from those aboard Destiny but just as functional and gave a bit more space to maneuver. Then they loaded into the shuttles which were remotely controlled. The shuttles took off and headed straight for this planet.
Everett had never seen a lonely planet or as it is called a rogue planet before. It was so strange to see a planet without a star. As it became clearer, the planet still possessed an atmosphere which was even stranger.
When the shuttles landed the rear hatch opened and Veun's oily voice came through.
"There is a crater site twenty clicks as you say north of here. In the shuttles you have the instruments required to mine it. Get them and straight to work!"
Everett and the rest thirty three of his people got them and headed that way. The moment they left the shuttles, the rear hatches closed and the shuttles took off. Everett smiled darkly. The Ancients were not that stupid. They did not leave them any chance or choice.
"You will transport your loads to the pickup position. In four days, we will send the shuttles. And Colonel, I do suggest you work. Otherwise I will level this planet with you on it."
Veun voice faded.
"Colonel," – Matt approached him.
"Divide the work force. Have one crew rest for eight hours at all times, preferably the strongest. They will be transporting the mined materials."
"First we have to think of a way to do so. If we had the kino slide it would have been easier."
"Sir," – Grier said. "Aren't we going to tell them to go to hell?"
"Not yet," – Everett replied. "For now, we play along. But don't worry our time will come and then God help them…"
"What about Rush?" – Matt asked.
"He is still at large." – Everett said joyfully. "They haven't got wind of him yet. He'll come up with something."
"Sir, we should really…"
"Sergeant, that's enough. To be honest, we need Destiny at peak efficiency as much as they needed. True, we will be mining but they will be repairing and when they're done we take our ship back!"
"That's more like it, sir!" – Grier smiled.
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Lordheaven