As soon as Gaius gave permission for Arthur to visit Merlin he did, he had had a log discussion with his senior officers and had a list of things he wanted to ask Merlin. Walking into the sick bay he noted that Merlin was back in the side room, a good sign surely. Gaius was at his desk. "Merlin's better then, I mean you've let him into the side bay"
"No Arthur, He was finding it to noisy out here, the attack on him has left him with a bad headache, so when you speak to him please be careful. I am only allowing it due to the seriousness of the situation, he is far from well." Gaius looked worried "The trouble is I still don't know what they did to him, I think it's due to the attacks effect on his strange powers that has made him weak, but I am only making assumptions and that's not good in medicine."
"I will be as brief as I can Gaius, I don't like this anymore than you do, Merlin is a civilian after all, and a young one at that."
Gaius gave a snort "I don't think his chronological age has anything to do with it. That boy has grown up quicker than he should have, it can't have been easy for him being the only one of his kind, even allowing for the symbiotic relationship with the dracons. My guess is even with his mother he has been an adult for more years than a child, I think he's been acting as an adult since he understood his powers, probably from about eight. Don't underestimate his maturity. Or think that because he doesn't follow orders that he's stupid, he's far from that."
Arthur looked shocked "I don't think he's stupid Gaius, just very rash with his own safety, he has to realise he isn't the only one here"
"He knows that Captain but he has grown up self-reliant, you can't change that overnight, just don't mistake his actions, he's far from a normal teenager." Gaius looked at his Captain with sympathy "He's never had to follow orders so don't expect him to now, work with him that's all I'm saying. Go on in and see him"
Arthur went into the side room and immediately realised just how poorly Merlin must feel. The younger man was curled up in a ball around Aithusa, he looked even paler than normal and had black circles under his eyes and a haunted look on his face. "Hi Merlin I hope you're feeling better than you look"
Merlin looked at Arthur and uncurled himself and sat up a bit more. Arthur stepped forward and moved the pillows so Merlin could prop himself up more. "Been better" Merlin was stroking the dracon absentmindedly as he spoke.
"I'm sorry Merlin but I need to ask you a few things, then I'll let you rest. But we are running out of time the entities will cross into federation space today and we estimate they will be refuelling at anther sun within twenty hours. We need to try and stop them or their next stop after that will kill millions." Arthur explained.
"Ask what you need, I will try to help" came the weak reply
"I know that Merlin. I will tell you what we have come up with and then you can tell me if you think were on the right track." Arthur told Merlin their thoughts on what the entities needed Aithusa for and about the reason for heading to Earth and also about their idea that the entities might have difficulties in changing back after so many years. "So what do you think?"
Merlin was clearly thinking things through, so they sat in silence for a moment or two before Merlin replied. "You are right about Aithusa, we have talked and she agrees, she has also contacted Kilgarrah… He believes they want to use them to remove the inhabitants, Earth has a much denser population than when Dracons were there before. It's too dense to share now. Also Kilgarrah has the memories and knows that at one time the message had been sent that earth was a good home and more should join, he thinks the 'entities' as you call then are using that to base their plans on." Merlin paused clearly getting breathless. "The dracons in the entity would know that as well." Merlin closed his eyes.
Arthur thinking Merlin had fallen asleep was just going to wake him when Merlin's eyes opened. "Thinking about what I felt and sensed I think you're right they have worries about transforming. They believe that entering the …atmosphere.. Is that the word?" Arthur nodded before merlin continued "That that will trigger the change. The dracon I spoke to seemed …..I felt had doubts about the eradication of the humans, that was the word I sensed, I'm not sure what he meant… was right the balance is important to our kind."
The Captain looked at Merlin "eradication means extermination as in killing everyone."
"Ah then I understand…look I know you won't like it but I need to talk to them again, see if I can contact the dracon part of what's out there. I might be able to get them to rethink. Will be pass any planets with breathable air and no people?"
"Yes we do, it's in the solar system of the next targeted sun, it's not good air but breathable. Why?" Arthur had the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer.
"If we got there first you could put me down and I could contact them, see if I could get them to try to change back and go to the surface. Suggest a practice run? Then you could work out a way of stopping them changing back, if I couldn't get them to change their minds. I could tell them I would help them contact my dracon family if they did" Merlin looked at Arthur "It might work, we have to try and the dracon's in them would help I'm sure, what they plan is against all their beliefs. Once there I might even be able to force them to stay using my powers"
"I'm not putting you down there alone!"
"You have to, they wouldn't go for it otherwise, and none of you can shield your thoughts like I can! That's why they hurt me the last time because I wouldn't let them into part of my thoughts." Merlin said simply
"I can't risk your life Merlin, you aren't even Federation personal I can't ask it of you!" Arthur said frustration in his voice.
"You're not asking I'm offering. One life risked for millions, you have no choice. Besides perhaps that's what I've been given my powers for! You have no choice! All I ask in return that you return Aithusa to Kilgarrah and make sure the dracons are left alone in peace and if possible, if I die, that my body is placed with my parents, as long as no one is endangered to get it." Merlin looked at Arthur "No better way to die than knowing I have saved others, I am the last of my kind let my death be meaningful please. I know what I am doing and I don't intend to die if I can help it."