A/N1: This chapter is a bit shorter but I promise the next one will be longer for our heroes get to alter the course of history once again.
Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.
Chapter 6
Day Six – A new alliance
The puddle jumper has just entered orbit of the ninth planet (commonly known as Pluto) where they were to meet with the Herald's vessel. There was still no sign of them though hiding a ship that size is remarkably difficult.
"When is this first light of Vedris supposed to happen?" – Jonus asked. He wasn't asking anyone in particular. It was a rather general question though mostly directed at Lucifer but he got no answer. Lucifer was not there.
"I think he had said Videris." – Donos corrected him and stood up to stretch.
"Same difference," – Jonus grunted.
Medris from a long time had decided against taking sides when the banter between Jonus and Donos ensued. It saved a lot of time and nerves. She did though admire that quality in both of them. It seemed to help in their line of work a lot.
"Who do you think or what…"
"We will see." – Donos interrupted before Jonus started to fall in his particular pattern of asking questions to which there were no plausible answers given the absolute lack of information.
"It is good to know something."
"Usually, yeah, but hey it is what it is."
"You know after we're done I'm going to strangle him for a…" – Jonus paused realizing Medris is with them. "Number of reasons…"
Donos nodded but did not bother with a reply. This was hardly the time to discuss Lucifer and his incomprehensible so far plans. They had come here to alter the future and instead they had gotten stuck. Sotra was still protesting their presence here but as it seemed Lucifer was the only one that knew exactly what to do. Of course they could easily return back to their time but it would attract the unnecessary attention Lucifer had been trying to avoid.
The sad story was that they had become an essential part of the Alterrans and they could not simply disappear without any trace. They had now responsibility towards their new family and walking away was not an option. Donos often wondered how they got into this mess and the usual answer was that Lucifer had a knack in getting into such, well, SG-1 had the same knack but not with such success rate in trouble.
"How long are we supposed to be waiting?"
"I don't know." – Donos retorted. "We wait."
"It could be an hour, two, a day…"
"A week, a month, a year…a million years…"
"Well, I know I will be living that long. I don't about you but I do for me so I can wait."
"See that's point – wait!"
Medris shook head and a smile came to her face. These two were impossible. Whenever together they argued about everything with unstopping force. Their banter was most entertaining. She on the other hand could go days without speaking for she spoke only when necessary. She found she had more in common with Tealus in that regard.
The four formed a strange group at times. Medris and the others had definitely noticed that during the past year. At times, they did not seem to fit within society and times where they fitted perfectly. They were all an odd combination of opposites but this was one of the things all of Atlantis liked about them.
There times she wondered where they came from. Their back stories at first were jumbled and there were some irregularities but with time they were accepted. They were all very gifted. She had promised herself to one day find about them. And of course, there was Lucifer, this very odd being. They had found him on a research station one day. But the most curious part though most of the others disagreed was that he had bonded to these four more than the rest of Atlantis.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden illumination of the front of the jumper. The Herald's vessel had appeared. On the screen appeared docking instructions.
Jonus jumped back to his seat and led the jumper into the belly of the beast. The Herald's vessel was indeed that – a beast. It was an eight kilometer long vessel, the largest they had seen. Of course this meant nothing. It is said nowhere how long a vessel should be.
The outer hull of the vessel was made of some alloy that shone in silvery light. The same seemed to be true for the inside too. The dock of the vessel was big enough to accommodate five Alterran battle ships. But there weren't any docking facilities. Actually there was nothing other than polished walls and floor. It was completely empty.
Jonus landed the jumper. His instruments however showed that the environment is completely sealed and normal for them for breathing though he had not seen anything that would even remotely suggest the docking bay was pressurized.
"Well, it is safe to go out."
"Wait! What? It is completely exposed to space." – Donos objected vividly.
"Well, the sensors are saying otherwise." – Jonus countered.
"It is nuts."
"Yeah, it is." – Jonus nodded and opened the rear hatch. He peeked outside and sniffed the air. "But it is perfectly ok."
Donos peeped out hesitantly but Jonus was right. It was indeed perfectly alright. If they were exposed to vacuum they would be already dead.
There was nothing to indicate where the door to the interior of the ship was. The walls were perfectly smooth. It was like being in a box.
"Alright," – Jonus exclaimed. "Now what…"
"Why do you think I know?" – Donos snapped. "It is not like I've spent my youth in here you know."
"I wasn't counting on that."
"Ni any Alterra." – A prerecorded voice cut through the uneasy silence. The voice recording came from the jumper. It carried Sotra's voice.
A part of the wall opposite of Donos and Jonus simply dissolved leaving a dark opening.
"This way," – Medris said and led the way. Jonus and Donos sighed but followed her.
They crossed the threshold and the open and lit docking bay was drowned into surrounding and thick darkness. They could not see anything in here let alone each other though they were just a step away from each other.
A flutter and a kind of sigh were heard nearby. It was actually even stranger than that. Those sounds then multiplied exponentially and the apparent acoustics in the area they were in made the sounds even louder and odder.
Donos jumped suddenly by the unexpected touch of something soft on his cheek and bumped into Medris who screamed mostly because she was surprised, and not hurt.
"I'm terribly sorry," – Donos apologized with a whisper.
"It is alright," – Medris replied as having Donos in her embrace was feeling actually quite cool.
The light returned gradually and they all gaped stunned.
They were in the most unusual interior of a ship. It could be best described as being into the Big Coral Reef. Corals of every shape, size and form covered the entirety of the ship's interior. Fluttering around, they found the Herald. They were odd too. They were medusa life forms, also of different sizes and shapes. The good part was, I guess, the absence of ocean but they were doing so in the air.
Two of the medusas then took a more familiar shape – a humanoid form. Those were the emissaries.
"Ni any Heraldia."
Medris moved to their hosts in the traditional Alterran greeting. The Herald did the same. It was amazing how much they had learnt and absorbed from their data banks.
"Come, this way," – The Herald said.
The two humanoids however did not walk. They kind of floated and fluttered with the same kind of movement as the rest of their kind.
This ship was amazing as the nuances of the interior altered. The corals retreated and left a lot of seemingly empty space resembling more and more the ocean bed but as soon as the two humanoids reached their final stop rocks rose and formed something that could be qualified as a conference room.
The two humanoids landed graciously on two smaller rock formations while three bigger the size of standard chairs were left for their guests. Medris, Jonus and Donos sat and waited. They were not really sure how to proceed. These beings seemed to be very different from them.
And yet as Donos reminded himself, they knew of them. They were invited to accept the seal of accordance. He hoped it is a form of an alliance. Nothing so far on this ship though indicated that the Herald and the Ancients had anything in common other than being space faring races.
"The seal shall be signed by the drowned moon." – One of the humanoids proclaimed.
Jonus looked at Donos expecting he understood the meaning but Donos was at a loss. The Herald used metaphors he was not familiar with. And yet Lucifer thought the three of them are perfect for the job so it had to be within their capabilities to deal with their hosts.
Out of the next rising formations of rocks three glasses, well no, three contents of drinks appeared. They appeared like they were in glasses but there were no glasses. Donos reached for it and for his surprise it did not fall apart. He reeled in the content to his lips. The offered drink had an odd taste but it was surprisingly good and nutritive. The other two contents then vanished.
Donos had an illumination. He had moved in to be the speaker for the Alterrans. He hoped. It is difficult to discern it since they had so little in common with their hosts or maybe they had more in common than met the eye.
"In the spirit of accordance, we accept the thought of friendship." – The other humanoid said.
Donos frowned at once. Now it sounded like they had just made a bargain. But he was the one that drank first. Would this mean he would be…he would be what…he was not certain. They could speak but even then he was still at a loss in the meaning.
'Details are everything, Daniel.' These were once the words of Lucifer. Did he know the Herald would show up? At times, he could swear Lucifer knew the future. Was this why he avoided such questions? It was perfectly possible he did not expect them to run into these Heralds.
Details, he had said. The first thing they knew for sure about them was they went almost straight for the sun. They used its power to heal their vessel and replenish their energy, the ship's energy. Now it made more sense. All beings crave for the power of the sun one way or another.
Coral reefs though underwater also crave for the sustaining power of the sun. And these creatures reminded of the ocean's medusas. They moved in the same fashion as their cousins in the Earth oceans. Of course, without the real thing they looked differently and their movement looked otherwise. Or perhaps they knew their guests would not be as efficient in a watery environment as they were?
"The sun…" – Donos began. "Healer of wounds, bringer of life to all creation is our guide."
"And your only salvation," – The first humanoid to have spoken replied.
"It creates and destroys…" – The other humanoid continued. "It also provides. It gives of itself."
"To sustain and replenish?" – Donos asked.
"Yes,"
Jonus and Medris followed this brief exchange in anticipation. They still did not fully understand the meaning of it. It seemed Donos had made some progress.
"The reef colony uses the sustaining power of the creator to sail through the ocean of velvet?"
"Yes,"
"But the look of the creator is as different as the corals…how do you know which one to select?"
"All faces of the creator are the same. The power it gives is the same. The reef can use any of it."
"Can we use any of it?"
"No," – The first humanoid to have spoken replied. "Not all faces are safe for your kind. Your kind uses only those similar to their first creator."
Donos nodded in understanding. He had made progress. The Herald uses the power of every form of sun. But it became obvious that the Alterrans could use the power of Yellow and Orange suns only. Perhaps the levels of radiation are less lethal than those of the others.
It was interesting. It seemed like the Herald were making a prelude of offering the technology, the knowhow of how to harness the power of the sun. As power sources go this would be the one the Alterrans have never mastered and yet it is the only logical choice for long-term space travel. It is the only power source that never runs out.
"Would you teach us?" – Donos asked hoping he was not being too direct.
"Yes," – The second humanoid replied.
"Upon the drowned moon, one shall remain to learn." – The first one said.
"Must the one have a basic understanding?" – Donos asked as none of them really had any.
"No," – The first replied. "Only the will…"
The floating contents appeared again.
"Replenish. We shall return soon."
And the two floated away.
"Now, would you be so kind to explain all this?"- Jonus said when their hosts were far enough.
Donos took one more of the drinks and enjoyed its flavor. He gestured the other two to quickly do the same. He was certain their hosts were watching.
Jonus a bit reluctantly did it while Medris took it without a second thought. They both had to admit it was a wonderful drink. For Jonus it tasted like beer and it was a reminder of the perspicacity of their hosts. Lucifer did warn them of that. Jonus figured Donos had tasted something similar.
"The Herald is offering the knowledge of how to harness and use the solar power as a power source."
"A power source?" – Jonus looked at Donos.
"Yes, the only power source that never runs out. There are suns spread throughout the entire breath of the universe."
"It makes sense." – Jonus agreed. It did sound perfectly logical and normal.
"They are going to teach us?" – Medris spoke for the first time since the docking bay.
"Yes,"
"What of this drowned moon?" – Jonus asked.
"I don't know. It is some kind of reference of the passage of time." – Donos shrugged.
"They haven't asked anything in return though, right?"
"No, not yet,"
"It is a very odd ship."
"And very advanced…"
"This, we know."
Donos did not mention the part of the one staying behind to learn. He was still uncertain of its meaning. He had a horrible thought that the Herald might choose Jonus or him, and this would be an unforeseen disaster. Of course, the prospect of learning from the Herald must have its perks. Then came the epiphany, they wanted one to stay behind to learn the offered knowledge. Oh, he could relax now.
They have not asked anything in return though and Donos wondered what the Ancients could possibly offer in return. The Herald seemed so advanced. Maybe they did not need anything but the idea of any race just sharing something of this immense value for nothing did not seem plausible either. There is always some price.
The emissaries returned. This time there were two more with them though in their natural form. They were smaller than any other they have seen so far. Maybe they were children.
The first spokesman reached the 'conference' table and pointed at the first small medusa and proclaimed:"This is the Grand Ticker, Mien, Ruler of the Herald."
Donos was stunned. He had thought wrong. It was the other way around. It seemed the smaller they were the more important they are.
"He shall come to your surface dwelling to select the acolyte."
"It is a great honor." – Medris interjected and made a kind of a bow.
"Would his majesty be able to endure outside the environment of your ship?" – Donos asked concerned. Something was telling him this may not be the case but still he was bound to ask.
The Gran Ticker fluttered twice and made a very odd sound. It almost sounded like Donos had touched a sensible string of his pride.
"The Grand Ticker appreciates your concern, Alterran Donos, but we can exist in many environments. Yours in particular is not a problem."
"Of course, I did not mean to offend."
"Offence not taken but concern appreciated." – A voice echoed strangely in Donos' mind.
One more piece of the puzzle seemed to come to place. The Heralds were maybe telepathic. Donos suspected something similar.
"The Grand Ticker shall be accompanied by his eldest minister, Sorah. She will be your translator." – The spokesman pointed at the other medusa. "And upon the drowned moon the seal shall be made."
Donos bowed as there seemed to be nothing left to do. The voice he had heard must have come from that medusa, Sorah.
"Shall we go then?" – The voice echoed in their minds.
"Ah, now?" – Jonus asked.
"Yes,"
"Ah, sure,"
Medris led the way. As Donos remembered, she had photographic memory. She could memorize schematics and maps down to the last detail even if it was the first time she has ever been in that particular place.
They reached the opening in the wall and soon boarded the jumper. Jonus started the engines and they flew out of the Herald's vessel heading back to Atlantis at top speed. They reached it under twenty hours and proceeded to the landing bay.
Medris once again led the way and their two guests fluttered behind her stopping only from time to time to absorb the sight as Donos guessed. They reached the main room and the two medusas fluttered excitedly at least that's what it looked like.
The Grand Ticker moved towards the gate rather quickly and without waiting for an invitation his minster Sorah followed. The gate suddenly activated and Donos feared the worst as their honored guests were just inches from the gate. The unstable vortex formed before anyone could do anything.
Donos shut his eyes. Oh, they're done now. This was going to be the most tragic accident in history – to host the rulers of an alien race and then lose them like this. Donos opened his eyes and his jaw fell onto the floor. The Grand Ticker and Sorah were perfectly fine. They were even fluttering more excitingly than before.
The confusion and relief was visible on everyone's faces. What they had just witnessed was beyond impossible. It was ridiculous.
"Come, Alterrans, it is time to talk." – Sorah's calm voice echoed.
The Grand Ticker and Sorah floated to the conference room where Jonus, Medris and the city's council were already gathered. Donos came in too.
They were definitely in awe of their guests. The council was looking at them with curiosity of a child. There is definitely more than the eye met, Donos thought and the door closed behind him.
On the other side of the city, Lucifer was in a lab working hard on the changes in the Lantean computer system. He had finally found a way and the perfect distraction. The presence of the Herald however unpleasant for him in particular was the cover he needed.
He had also retrieved the data and schematics for that insignificant ship that the Ancients had never been able to make work. Ironically, what he never mentioned is that they did eventually made it work. And the breakthrough happened right after they made the alliance with the Herald. They were the cornerstone, the key.
The ship in question had been in design for a very long time. The Ancients had even made a prototype but the biggest concern they have ever had was power. They had intended it to travel alone for some time before going to it. Power – this was their problem and the ship was never fully build. They had since abandoned the project.
The arrival of the Herald changed all that. They were going to build first many unmanned vessels that were going to build the gate network throughout every galaxy they visited. Then they were going to launch the major ship whose agenda would be to gather information about the most important discovery they have made to date.
Of course, the worst side of all was Lucifer. He had not told SG-1 one simple thing. They believed that they were in one million five hundred BC but the truth was far more disturbing, far more. They were in year Five Million Twenty Five Hundred BC. At the last moment, Lucifer entered O'Neil's mind and altered course.
The Atlantis now and the Atlantis they were eventually going to meet in the future were two very different cities. And this is why it was so important to implant the information Lucifer needed in the future. It was also important that the first contact with the Herald is done by the humans of the future.
Lucifer stopped working. He was done. The information was implanted perfectly. No one will ever suspect it was placed there by someone other than a brilliant Alterran scientist. The first major phase was complete and now soon SG1 and Lucifer would have to disappear. Their task in this time period was done. The Ancients will be on their own and they will do just fine. Their lives had been enriched by the presence of SG1 and they will remember them as the pioneers of the most important alliance the Alterrans would ever make.
Nine months later, SG1 and Lucifer returned to Dakara where the time ship was hidden. They boarded it and departed. Donos, Jonus, Tealus and Sotra were never seen again in the old Atlantis or anywhere else in the Alterran domain.
The alliance with the Herald brought the Alterrans to new heights. A thousand years later, they built the first wave of unmanned ships called seed vessels. Their purpose was to map every galaxy in their path, to search for viable for life worlds and plant star gates. Ten thousand years after that, the Alterrans build the most advanced vessel. Its mission was to search for the ultimate answer to life and everything. Wherever it goes it would stop and examine the data sent by the seed vessel via subspace network, and then proceed on its way.
The greatest concern of the Alterrans had always been power but now this problem had been solved. The Alterran vessels were now using the power of the sun as fuel. Whenever the power reserves would go low, the ship would power down and then fly straight into the coronosphere of a sun and replenish its needs. And thus it shall continue until it is far enough for the Alterrans to board it though history will remember they never did as the ship had been lost alongside the first wave of seed ships.
Despite the advancements the Alterrans made and the ships they had built there was still something missing. It turned out that power was only one of their problems and not the problem. The ship's greatest flaw was the absence of intelligence. The first ship was designed to follow a path and never deviate from it whatever the reason. But its core program was just an instruction, a simple computer program with simple instructions and when it departed to see the universe it crumbled and the ship was lost.
One hundred thousand years later, the Alterrans finally after following the last trails discovered the seed vessels and the major vessel. They had been stopped in a galaxy just sixty million light years away. All the vessels had suffered tremendous battle and environmental damage. Their core programs had shut down. Their databases erased. Further examination of the vessels showed that they weren't ready for deep space survival.
The problem with the Alterran enemies the ORI had been resolved too. Continuing the initial idea of councilor Sotra, the Atlantis Grand Council found a way to block the ORI priests' abilities. They managed to stop them and repulse them for the Milky Way Galaxy.
Their efforts however did not come at a perfect time as ninety six percent of the galaxy's population was extinct. The information they gathered however was stored in a vault of knowledge.
After much deliberation, the Grand Council decided it is best to destroy all life in the galaxy and rebuild it so they created a machine that will do just that. It was placed within the monument on Dakara and with its power translated through every gate in the network simultaneously life in the Milky Way Galaxy was erased.
It took several million years for life to find its way. By that time, the Alterrans had already left the premises of the galaxy. They had gone to explore and then rethink their entire strategy concerning the most important mission and with that they got help in the most unexpected form (and I'm sure you can guess who)…
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Lordheaven