Earth-New Beginning
Dragonlots aka Dana Bell
Chapter 24: Awakening
"Damnation," Taylor cursed when he entered the storage area. The cylinders hissed and hummed filling the large room.
Alona didn't blame the commander his reaction. Minutes ahead of him Dr. Shannon and her team had arrived. Several, including Skye hurried around setting up a field hospital. They'd have to keep those who were awakened here. The main infirmary wasn't large enough.
"What's going on?" Dr. Wallace demanded, looking around with a slight lost look on his round face. He wore tan pants and a loose flowery top. Mud encrusted his shoes.
"Mass awakening," Alona explained. The answer should have been obvious.
"Wait." He glanced around. "There are more of these cylinders in the main lab."
Before Alona could answer Dr. Wallace hurried over to Elisabeth Shannon. They had a brief intense conversation before he ran out just as the rain started up again.
Feeling out of her element, Alona went to the door. Clouds obscured the normally bright sky and lightening flashed in the distance.
Behind she heard, "This is just what we need," Taylor complained to his second in command. Turning to watch them she wondered when Jim Shannon had arrived. His clothes clung to him so he'd come in after the rain started again.
"More unknown visitors from who knows where and when." The commander shook his head. He addressed his next words to her. "What do we know about them Dr. Jackson?"
"First," she answered. "I doubt they're from our time stream. Our family's history is very well documented." She knew because Alona had read their journals and diaries several times.
"What are you saying?" He frowned at her, the lines of his face more pronounced than normal.
"That these people are probably from an alternate time line."
"Our future?" Jim Shannon asked.
"We won't know that until we talk to them." She really wished the Ancients hadn't flown off. They'd brought these shadows of her ancestors here. What she couldn't answer was why.
Voices from outside caught her attention. A blonde woman in a sort off white uniform spoke to Dr. Quest. She carried a bag and brought several others dressed similarly with her.
Dr. Quest gave Alona and the command team a smile. "This is Dr. Cassiopeia," he introduced his companion. "And several Med Techs. They're here to help."
"Elisabeth," Jim Shannon called. "You've got help."
She nodded and joined them a distracted look on her face.
The scientist made quick introductions. Elisabeth motioned for them to follow her and they went to work monitoring the cryro units and their inhabitants.
"How did they know we needed help?" Taylor looked expectantly at Dr. Quest.
The man grinned. "I took the liberty of talking to Commander Adama and Cain last night after Colonel Sheppard was revived." He shrugged. "I had a feeling something like this might happen and we'd need assistance. One of their other doctors is working in the main lab."
"Malcolm will be glad of that," Shannon said with a slight smile.
Taylor however, did not look happy.
"Commander," Dr. Quest continued. "I worked as an advisor to the Stargate program and realize realistically that while I may know the faces of many here, they are probably not the people I consulted with."
Alona suddenly remembered. "I remember some mentions of you in my ancestor's journals."
"I have a knack for languages."
"As do I," Alona agreed. She'd gotten the gift from her ancestor.
"Thank you," Jim Shannon interjected. "I know she appreciates the help."
"I'm glad." Dr. Quest put his hands in his jacket pockets. "I got the impression they were more than happy to help." He nodded in the direction of the two doctors. "Our language differences seem to be part of the problem."
"Their translator works well enough." Taylor crossed his arms over his black top.
"They don't have many of those."
"You learned it quickly," Alona complimented the man a bit jealous.
"We were world travelers and learned many languages." He chuckled. "It helps the boys took an interest in the vipers. Seems Captain Apollo has a son a few years younger than Jonny and Hadji. Both my sons are picking the language up quickly."
"Interesting." Shannon's lean face held a thoughtful look.
"They have children in their fleet?" Taylor wanted to know.
Alona found the discovery interesting as well.
"They do," Dr. Quest confirmed. "I should make myself useful." He joined the two doctors.
"Dr. Quest is a man of many talents," Alona tried to reassure both leaders.
"Is he also a medical doctor?" Shannon pointed at the scientist. Dr. Quest sat beside one of the units taking readings.
"From what history says, yes," she confirmed. "You should use the Eye and find out more." Alona had already done that.
"I might do just that." Taylor turned to Shannon. "We should give the docs some room."
The pair walked out into the rain and ran across the muddy ground. No doubt they were headed for the command center.
Lightening flashed, thunder rolling over the building. While she couldn't help medically, Alona might be able to ID some of the people in this room. It might be fun to put faces to the people she'd spent so many years reading about.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John slowly opened his eyes. Dim light filtered through shudders. Pale walls greeted him and he assumed he rested in a hospital room although not one he was familiar with. He grunted as he tried to push himself up.
"Dr. Shannon will be glad you're awake."
He focused on the female voice. A young woman sat in a chair wearing a bright sundress, her dark hair pulled back. In her lap sat a clear plastic device.
"Welcome to Terra Nova." She put the object in the chair as she stood up and offered him a smile. "I'm Tessa Sheppard."
"What?" Her last name couldn't possibly be the same as his. He managed to sit surprised his head wasn't spinning.
"Your mind might be a little fuzzy at first."
"Did you say Tessa Sheppard?" He tried to wrap his clouded mind around her name.
"Yes," she confirmed. "All we know right now is that you were left here in a cryro tube. We brought all of them back to the colony."
"How long?" His tongue felt very dry and he wanted a drink of water.
"Would you like some water?" she asked as if she knew what he needed.
He nodded and watched as she offered him a container with a straw. John wrapped his fingers around it and took a careful sip. A cold clear liquid filled his mouth and it tasted better than anything he'd ever drunk in his life. "Where am I?"
"Hospital in Terra Nova."
"What's Terra Nova?" He carefully put the container on the bed stand, trying to get his muddle mind to clear so he'd understand.
"A colony and bit hard to explain."
"Like on another planet?" Would make sense if they'd...if they'd what? He couldn't remember.
"Not exactly."
Several bugles sounded coming through the walls. "What's that?"
"Brachiosaurus," the woman, Tessa, explained. "We have a few who seem to like the trees around the fence." She picked up her plastic device. "I'll let Dr. Shannon know you're awake. It might be a bit before she comes to check on you." She darted out.
John stared at the door she'd exited. The bugles continued and shook his head. Had she really said Brachiosaurus?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Elisabeth found a chair and sat down for a quick rest. All the cylinders had released their occupants who had been resettled on cots. Both her medical team and the Colonial med techs hovered around the patients, checking vitals. All in all, the men and women they'd found seemed to fine.
"Mom?"
She smiled up at Maddy, holding a cup of coffee and a fruit bowl. "Thought you might be hungry."
"Thank you." She took both and sipped the beverage. The rich flavor filled her mouth.
"Colonel Sheppard is awake." Maddy sat down next to her.
"How's he doing?" Nibbling on some fruit, Elisabeth discovered she was hungry.
"Fine from what the nurse told me. A bit brain fogged." Her daughter glanced around at the cots. "I heard Alona's housemate sat with him for a while. Her name is Tessa Sheppard."
Elisabeth would bet waking up to a descendant, if Tessa was one, would have been a bit of shock. "Has Commander Taylor been informed?" She ate a berry.
"I don't think so."
"I'd better check on my patient and inform him." She started to get up.
"Eat first, Mom." Maddy pointed at the food.
She grinned proud of her daughter's advice. They'd done a good job raising her.
Dr. Cassiopeia approached, her eyes darting between Maddy and Elisabeth.
Dr. Quest, who came with her, said a few words. The Colonial nodded.
"Patients are all stable," he told Elisabeth. "Seems the Colonials have a similar device for severe medical cases."
"We can be thankful for that." Their help had been invaluable and Elisabeth appreciated all they'd done.
The other woman spoke to Dr. Quest who listened. He nodded. "She suggests you get some sleep."
"I will after I check on Colonel Sheppard and then inform Commander Taylor and my husband." Provided they didn't already know.
"He's awake," Maddy added.
The scientist smiled knowingly. "I come from a small town. News travels fast."
She'd learned how fast living in Terra Nova. "You are right."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Both Captains Apollo and Rae had made their reports and the Quorum had unexpectedly made a quick decision to resettle in the valley and mountain they'd explored. Several members of the Council had requested to return to the fleet. Boomer and Sheba had flown them back in the shuttle. Apollo had no doubt the various members wanted to spread the word personally to assure their re-election once they'd settled in their new colonies.
Centaurs later the shuttle returned. Sheba brought with her Boxey and Dillion along with Muffet, who barked on seeing him and the two boys who had asked many questions about the vipers so quickly he'd had to think fast to answer them.
Apollo made quick introductions, thankful for the overhead cover. Outside rain fell heavily while lightening flashed and thunder rolled over the colony.
"You must be Boxey," Jonny greeted the younger boy.
"This is my friend Dillion." Boxey looked puzzled. "How come you know our language?"
"Quick study and practice," Jonny returned. "We traveled a lot when I was younger and learned many languages. My dad's got a real talent for it." Apollo could tell the boy was proud of his father.
"Quite a lot," his darker colored brother Hadji agreed.
Rain lessoned a bit although it did not stop.
"Perhaps we should move inside," Hadji suggested, fastening his coat and pulling his hood over his black hair.
"Good idea." Apollo watched the clouds grow even a darker gray. "Is it like this all the time?"
Jonny shook his head. "You arrived during the storm season. Normally it's hot and muggy."
"Very nice for dinosaurs." Hadji led the way across the muddy compound.
Even the marketplace had shut down. Sheets of fabric sagged and the various bins stood empty. A light rain continued getting his hair and uniform wet.
Apollo felt Sheba's hand take his arm. She smiled at him and he kissed her temple.
"We're going to like it here," she said quietly.
"I know." He leaned closer so only she could hear. Ahead of them the boys chattered excitedly. "Maybe we can finally have those children we have been wanting."
Her brown eyes sparked. "I'd like that."
They reached the Quest's bungalow. It surprised Apollo it sat in the same section where they'd been staying as the colony's guests. The door stood open and a white haired man stood there, his arms crossed over his read shirt. A small white daggit with a black mask over its eyes dashed out, greeting Jonny and Hadji.
"You have daggits!" Boxey knelt down allowing the animal to sniff his fingers.
"Easy Bandit," Jonny warned the daggit.
The little dog wagged its short tail as it sniffed Boxey.
With a smile Apollo watched the Boxey and Dillion pet the daggit as Muffet sat close by watching. "Are there more daggits?"
"Sorry. Several million years too early," Jonny answered, regret in his tone.
"Who's that?" Sheba pointed to the hooded figure strolling not too far away, a snarling very large catlit beside her.
"That's Laura Collins," Hadji told them. "With her sabre cat Sheba."
Sheba started. The fact his wife shared the same name as the large feline probably surprised her. "Where did she find it?"
"Long story." Jonny pointed at the white haired man. "That's Race Bannon. He and his daughter Jessie are part of our family."
"We have been a family for many years." Hadji headed inside. "I suggest we get inside quickly. The storm is coming back."'
"We'll meet later. Come on boys." Boxey and Dillion reluctantly left the daggit who trotted inside with Jonny.
They barely made it back to where they were staying before the rain fell so thick Apollo could barely see through it. Inside the rest of his family sat. The two commanders sat at the table discussing plans for their ships. Boomer and Starbuck played a game of pyramid with Don and Jearik. Jason napped sprawled on the floor. Stacia and Rae listened to Siress Tinia who had elected to stay. He didn't miss the looks the woman kept sending in his father's direction.
"What do you want they get sealed?" Sheba whispered in his ear.
"Depends on my father."
Boxey ran to his grandfather who hugged him. "You should dry off," the older man told the boy. "Turbo wash is just through there." He pointed down the hall.
"Come on, Dillion," Boxey called. Muffet barked, leaving damp spots with his paws.
Dillion dripped on the floor not moving. His eyes rested on Rae. She'd lifted her head on hearing the boy's name. They stared at each other.
"Hi Dillion," she finally said after a long centon.
"Hi."
Don started to rise, but Apollo noticed Starbuck put a hand on the warrior's arm and shook his head.
With a cry the boy threw his body into Rae's arms. She hugged him, tears streaming down her face. "It's okay. I'm home to stay."