A/N: Hello again. 2 more chapters until the end of Season 3!

Mystery Solved

Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate Universe belong to MGM. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.

AU/SGU/FO: A powerful being from another universe appears on the Destiny just as Eli's time had run out. Stranded on the ship he has to figure out how to go home and the best way is to help the crew of Destiny.

Season Three – 'The envoy of the Gods'

Premise:

The crew of the Destiny had gotten into stasis as they planned to ride out the issues they had in the current galaxy. Stasis was to last 3 years until the Destiny reached the next galaxy (hopefully). It was supposed to be a dreamless state...

But it was anything but dreamless. The ship's AI had induced dreams for some but another being had other plans for them. It warned them that the universe is in danger and armed them with the knowledge they would need to survive the apocalypse.

Diablo and Viz had fixed their ship as best as they could and woke them up. Their reaction had been pretty as much as they had figured. But the discoveries they had made were invaluable not to mention they had allies they did not know they had. Once everything had been explained the crew of Destiny has an important decision to make...

Previously:

Colonel Carter and Dr. Jackson are sent to assess the new situation onboard the Destiny and the feasibility of Diablo remaining with the crew.

They first inspect the many repairs and upgrades done to the ship and are impressed and then they go to visit Diablo. They spark a conversation about the dimensional shifting and the auras.

The latter Dr. Jackson understand they could see when they evolve sufficiently and he logically compares it to ascension to a higher plane of existence but gets him into conflict with Diablo whose opinion on that action is very low.

Diablo explains in details that any enlightenment can be achieved while in the same form and that is a waste of time to seek the same enlightenment through a different form. His words spark a new understanding of the concept. Dr. Jackson and Samantha reach the same conclusion about ascension: it is one of the many ways to evolve.

The two spent some time on Destiny assessing the power levels of Diablo. Samantha reasons that he is a normal being (just like them with thoughts and feelings, fears and hopes). She reaches the conclusion that he can be an asset provided he agrees to certain rules as he would be part of a team and not a solo act.

She and Dr. Jackson return to Earth to give their recommendations just as the crew has returned from leave to decide too if he will stay with them or not.

And now:

Chapter 9

The crew has finally returned from their respective shore leaves. And it was time they truly discussed their new reality. Do they keep the new arrivals as members or do they find a different solution? They could leave them on the next habitable world though as Everett and Nicholas had remarked they had no way of enforcing that.

They could also place them in stasis. It was something they could convince them to do. But was it the right call? The truth was that they scared them. They were very powerful and could shift from dimension to dimension at will so one of the other options was to let them be in the other dimension. They would be free but not really with the crew.

The arguments from those afraid of them indicated only the worst case scenarios that imagined them as being untruthful and warlords that would enslave them to do their bidding. Of course many found that argument childish and unrealistic. True, they admit they could but they had nothing to gain from it. Besides they had gone to the brig on their own volition.

The other argument was the warning Diablo had provided. They feared that the obstacles they would face now would be only solvable by them. If they got rid of them then the obstacles would remain within their grasp and not beyond it.

But this argument was also found unrealistic as one never knows when the universe will decide to present them with an impossible choice. And so it is best to have by our side something as powerful as them to solve it then not to have it, and then be totally screwed.

In the recess of the deliberations, Everett, Camille, Nicholas and Eli headed to see them. They heard voices and noticed the two were arguing over something and decided to listen in before interrupting them.

"Why are you so sure that the Heralds exist in this universe? It is highly likely that they do not and that is the doing of another race with similar deviations."

"Well, you are right." Diablo had acknowledged. "It is possible that Santa Claus runs Xmas in this universe in his shorts instead of his usual outfit."

"I am serious."

"So am I," Diablo replied.

"No, you are being your usual know-it-all self presuming that every universe is the same. It is like with Carter – no this is not a parallel universe it is a different one." Viz replied imitating him.

"Will you quit your whining? You are like a desperate house elf." Diablo retorted. "The design of that power sucker is the product of a Herald kind. There is no doubt about that. How many races parade around in that form?"

"Well, we are in a different universe. Everything is possible." Viz countered.

"True," Diablo smiled. "But the major players remain the same. And if you care to remember most of them have the nagging ability to shift between universes."

Viz had to admit he had a point. He just did not want him to make quick assumptions. "My point is you are making assumptions about things we don't know."

"Actually, we do."

"There he goes again. How do we know?"

"It is not just the power sucker. Think. What other technological marvels do these things have and given?"

"You are referring to the constructed solar system the crew encountered?"

"Yes, that one."

"Many races could have done that."

"True but not the motive,"

"What motive?"

"Goodbye,"

"Um, fair point," Viz admitted. They had revived temporarily the crew of the shuttle so they can go home and make their goodbyes even if the crew of Destiny had misinterpreted their intention. "But why not rebuild them completely?"

"They understand the cycle of life. But, be it as a courtesy to their old alliance. Think about it." Diablo said. He had some time to think about the crew's encounter with that race at the constructed solar system and the way they had react it and brought them back. "They make an alliance (however that happened) with the Ancients. They provide them the technology to travel among the stars. Years later, they find the Ancients' shuttle on one of their worlds and its crew dead or mostly dead.

They hear the thoughts of one of them – crying for home. Hence the logical assumption – where is their home. The home is the Ancient vessel. They pick it up in the adjacent galaxy and try to decide what to do.

They have the means to send that shuttle there. They could have easily sent it without the crew or with the dead crew.

But they also value life just as we do. However they are not gods. They cannot create life but they can prolong it just long enough so these poor souls can go home and say their goodbyes. How many races do you know do that?"

"The Herald's kinds,"

"The humans have most certainly misinterpreted the message the aliens sent them. But that is not important. What is important is that the Heralds are still around in one form or another. And they remember their old alliance.

No other race would have gone to trouble of reviving them or sending them back to their ship. They would have simply ignored the shuttle as it is obsolete technology. They would have ignored the dead as they have nothing to do with them. Who cares how they died or why? They are intruders or insects trying to figure out something well beyond their understanding. Do you bother with ants?"

"No, you are right."

"The question that remains is how the Ancients made an alliance with the Herald?"

"I think I answered that one already."

"Viz, I do like you but Time Eternals do not wander around backwards civilizations."

"Or maybe at one point one of them did."

"Perhaps,"

"Well, they do have the power sucker tech, don't they? You are not suggesting they stole it?"

"That is beyond their grasp."

"In that case, a Time Eternal brokered the alliance. How, why, when, for now, we do not know."

"True," Diablo agreed. "But that leaves us with the other mysteries."

"Which one?"

"The design of the ship is one of them."

"You still think there is a second ship travelling behind Destiny?"

"It is the only logical explanation for these mysterious messages the ship sends backwards."

"And why it gets it into so much trouble?"

"Yes, alien species pick up on those. And they get curious and they come to find out."

"Like the alien race that infected Mrs. Armstrong?"

"Yes,"

"What about the other power reserves? Have you thought about them?"

"I have formed some ideas but nothing conclusive. I still need proof of the other ship."

"Why don't we build a probe and sent it backwards?"

"I have thought of that. But we do not know how advanced that ship is."

"Why is that a problem?"

"It is because it can destroy the probes and we get nothing."

There were a lot of people gathered where the first four were when they decided to eavesdrop. Dr. Dale Volker was among them. When he heard Diablo reference the power sucker technology he thought of the solar radiation collectors that the ship uses to refuel. And then he remembered the message of the odd being in his dream state.

He looked at Rush to follow him and the two separated from the main group.

"Did you hear?"

"Yes, I did." Nicholas had heard more than enough. It seemed their guests believed that technology doesn't belong to the Ancients. He always thought that they have not seen it elsewhere simply because it was the only way for Destiny to reach its goal. The other Ancient vessels already had power sources but they were not going to travel that far out so they did not need to use it.

"So he truly is what the oddity told us?"

"It would seem so."

"What do you do?"

"We do what we originally agreed. We vote for them to stay."

Nicholas returned to the main group. He gestured all of them to back away and leave the two alone. They have all heard enough.

"I think we should let them stay. They have much to offer. And I know some of you feel insecure with their presence. As there is always the possibility we may be wrong about them but they have explained something that even I have to admit we did not consider at the time."

"I agree with Rush on this one." Everett said. "That is not something we considered. The point being these two have a different insight than us. They have seen more than us. They have greater experience from which we can benefit a lot. They also need us to help them find the reason they are here and help them get home."

"I have to disagree with both of you." Camille said. "We have no way of controlling them. When push comes to shove they would easily choose to sell us out. We are the dead weight that they do not need."

"Ah, Camille, it would have to be one hell of a shovel for that to happen." Everett shook head.

"And that is unlikely," Nicholas said.

"You said it yourselves that he did warn us that this shovel may very well presents itself because of him."

"Camille, if we always relied on what may happen, we would have never left the premises of our own house." Nicholas countered and earned the approving murmur of most of the crew.

"I for one do not believe we should try to control them." Dale joined the conversation. "They have shown that we can rely on them even when we do not ask them. Yesterday being the perfect example, if you would care to remember, Mrs. Wray."

Camille moved uncomfortably in her place. Yes, the day before, these two when they were out of their cage for a stroll. They helped out with an embarrassing thing that she did not think pronouncing even in her own head. And they did not have to but they did anyway. She thought of it at the time as they are trying ingratiate themselves. But no, they helped and then resumed their walk. They did not ask for anything in return. They felt it is something they should do as anyone would consider it his civic duty.

Still he believed that they needed to exert some form of control over them. Perhaps, Colonel Carter's suggestion of a rulebook would be the closest thing but how were they going to be certain they would abide by it. That is what bothered her and she voiced it out.

Colonel Young pointed out that her notion was ridiculous given that this applied to all of them as well. How do they ensure that even they obeyed all the rules and regulations? Anyone can break the rules.

"True," Camille said. "But you catch the offenders, you judge and punish them. Do you think they would submit to our court system or simply laugh and ignore it?"

"I think they will abide by it."

"And when they chose to ignore it? What then? How would you make sure they do? We can't force them as you said." Camille countered. She had an idea though.

"What do you propose then?"

"We can try and build the anti-prior device. The SGC had used it successfully to block the abilities of the ORI priors."

"True," Nicholas said. "But to borrow your book of insecurities, we can't be sure it would work on them. It took Colonel Carter several tries to make it work. We can't know if the same is valid for them too."

"But we can try."

"We can." Nicholas nodded. "Colonel,"

"I suppose we can try." Everett said.

"So before we make any decisions," Camille said. "We build it and we try it. If it works, we are in agreement."

"And if it doesn't?" Dale asked.

"Then we are back at square one,"

"Even if it does work," Chloe said. "It is still ridiculous."

"Why?" Camille asked.

"Do you plan to walk with that device around when they are around the ship?"

"She's right." Nicholas said. "The device only works when they are in a confined space. It doesn't work on a global scale."

"On the contrary that is just the point. We use it only when we have to." Dr. Park explained.

"Rush, what you think?" Everett asked.

"We can try." Nicholas said.

"Alright then it is decided." Everett said. "We will send Chloe and Eli to Earth so they can memorize how to build the device, and then return and build it. Then we will try it on them and see if it works. Agreed?" Everett looked at Camille who nodded approvingly. "Alright then, let's do it. Eli and Chloe on the next contact, you will go."

In a few days, Camille, Rush and Young went to the brig and placed the device nearby. They left Chloe so she can calibrate it while they ask them to do some of his power things.

"Good morning, Colonel," Everett was greeted when he lifted the curtain (so to speak). "What can I do for you?"

They noticed only Diablo was present but Nicholas stepped forward and asked. "We want your help with something."

"Sure,"

Nicholas explained what they needed and upon agreement they started doing it while Camille threw a look at Chloe. She shook her head but continued with the different disruption frequencies.

Camille had started to lose hope but at some point their efforts yielded a result. His focus faltered and he could no longer do what they wanted if him. Camille nodded approvingly.

"Are you alright?" Camille asked him barely containing her satisfaction.

"Yes, I am fine." He replied. "But I must be more tired than I thought. Perhaps we should resume tomorrow?"

"That's alright with us. Thank you for your help!"

"Any time, Mrs. Wray,"

They left him and returned to the mess hall where everyone waited.

"Well, did it work?" Dale asked.

"Yes, it did." Eli replied.

"Are you satisfied, Camille?" Everett asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Then we have some voting to attend."

They decided everyone would cast their vote and the decision will be taken based on the majority of the votes. The counting of the votes was done by an outside source that came from homeworld command.

The votes counted the result for the two staying onboard as part of their team was actually unanimous. Everyone had voted that way because the anti-prior device worked and everyone felt they had some form of control that was right and just.

Meanwhile in the brig, Viz was still stunned of how no one recognized him. He turned to Diablo who had been floating near the top of the ceiling.

"Why did you make me do that?" Viz asked. "And why did they think I was you?"

"Camille was way too smug." Diablo replied."As to why, I guess they saw what they wanted to see. Besides, you did not contradict them."

"Well I was surprised and then it kind of went in that direction. How did you know?"

"I looked around and noticed Chloe tampering with something and then using you know what I discovered what they were really up to. And then I asked you to do what you did."

"Yes, but what is that thing?"

"Apparently, it emits a disruptive wave, brain wave that blocks certain parts of the brain thought to control powers."

"So it is a power blocker?"

"Yep,"

"But it doesn't work."

"They do not know that."

"Why lie?"

"They need to feel secure. They need to feel in control when you and I step over."

"Isn't our word enough?"

"Apparently, not, and I understand them."

"Why not just tell them that this doesn't work? I hate lying to them."

"I feel the same however they chose to hide their intentions first."

"But how would we know when that thing is active?"

"Easy, it emits a very annoying subsonic sound." Diablo replied. "Here." They shared experiences and Viz finally heard it. He did not hear it before but his friend's senses were more advanced and attuned to such things.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, who am I to take away one little victory? Let them enjoy it. They needed a boost in morale too. So this is it."

"It is still based on a lie."

"Oh, it is not a lie. It is a noble lie."

"And that makes different how?"

"Actually, it makes it a noble...omission."

"Pótato, potàto," Viz said. "Did it do something to you?"

"No, look, the only effect this thing had on me was that annoying sound. They still do not get that my physiology and theirs differ. And let's hope they would never have to find out. But the reason is this. We need them and they need us. We need to able to move freely without unnecessary altercations. We also need their trust."

"All valid points but it is still a lie."

"I know. But do remember that you could have told them too it was you and not me." Diablo reminded.

"Well, at first, I thought they wanted me to do something. It was by the end of it that I realized they thought it was you. But they were gone so quickly I couldn't remedy the confusion. I don't like how they make alliances."

"Well, I don't either but that is what it means to them."

"Yeah, I got it. I just hope not every one of them thinks that way."

"Well, hope is the last one to die they say."

"Why are they not considering how easy that was?"

"That is an interesting question. I shall endeavour to ask it if we get the chance."

"Alright, we will play their little game."

"Viz, go to your happy place," Diablo said. "We are allies now and besides their tactics are of very little concern to me. Our main goal remains the same – find what we are doing here, fix it and then go home. And leave them to their fate."

"Agreed,"

To be continued...

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