A/N: This is the end of Season 4. I have started working on Season 5 but I can't say when I will start updating. Hopefully that would be soon.
I can only wish all of you Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
And hopefully, the New Year will be better than this one and the chaos it created in our lives.
Gods Bless! Stay Safe!
Mystery Solved
Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate Universe belong to MGM. The characters of the Four Orders (FO*) 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 Four – 'Unravelling the past'
Premise:
The crew of Destiny woke up after entering stasis only to find two new passengers onboard. The powerful being Diablo and his sidekick Viz had repaired most of their ship in a display of power never before seen.
After some deliberations and revelations, the crew of Destiny chooses to keep them as their newest allies/crew members. But trouble knocked on their door when an Ancient seed ship nearly destroyed all of them.
Unified they set together on a journey of exploration of the deepest waters of their psyche and the darkest secrets of the Ancients. What they discover shakes them to the very core of their beliefs.
Previously:
Dr. Perry and Ginn both pondered on some philosophical grounds reflecting on their lives before and after Destiny but mostly how they will cope with their new bodies as this experience would be new for both of them.
Meanwhile in a lab somewhere, Diablo continues his secret projects designed to update the ship's systems and provide some needed entertainment so the crew doesn't go insane from the long period they had been stuck on the ship and a few other things.
Viz gets to visit under the pretext of wanting to know about what his friend's doing but his real dilemma is asking Lt. James out as he had begun to develop feelings for her. Diablo helps him in his unorthodox manner and then continues with all haste to complete his secret projects.
Eli takes Chloe out of sickbay so she can do the bidding of the divine being. Eli is worried that someone will notice her absence especially Diablo and Viz but she manages to calm him before going to do the bidding of the divine one.
Weeks later, Eli continues to worry about Ginn as she had yet to show that she's in her new body.
Rush and Everett meet to discuss one of their own secret projects that is to discover what happened to them during stasis. Everett then goes to see Diablo and ask him about Dr. Perry and Ginn.
And finally the season finale:
Chapter 10
"Ah, Colonel Young," Diablo replied as he appeared from the wall. It must have made the colonel quite perplexed. "Oh, it is not what it looks like."
"No?"
"It is a holographic wall."
"Okay," Everett of course had not asked though he did look stunned when he did that.
"What can I do for you?"
Everett gathered his thoughts though his curiosity was piqued. "I wanted to ask about Dr. Perry and Ginn."
"Yes, what about them,"
"It has been seven weeks and still nothing."
"Well, that is perfectly normal." Diablo replied putting down some pad that he had in his hands.
"It is?"
Diablo chuckled obviously amused. "How long does it take an infant since it's born to start walking or talking, Colonel?"
"Well, several years,"
"See, a new life takes time to adjust, to adapt to its new environment and while the two's bodies are fully grown unlike an infant, that process can't be rushed. But I can assure you it will be faster than an infant."
"So how long?"
"At this time, I doubt neither Dr. Perry nor Ginn are actually aware that they are already in their bodies. Time for them passes in a different fashion. So I suspect in the next few weeks they will become aware of it and once this happens you will know."
"How exactly will we know?"
"That would be when their bodies start to convulse."
"They will – what?"
Diablo chuckled again developing into laughter. "The sudden realization of that very fact will make things for them real and then the real battle for the body will begin. I suppose if you wanted an estimated timeline – that would be several months."
"Months?" Everett exclaimed stunned. "Eli will go bananas not to mention Rush."
"Have a seat, Colonel." Diablo offered and he sat.
He wanted things to develop in a different way however since the colonel was here already it was time to share a few things.
"You remember that I said that there are a few people onboard whose auras I can't see, yes?"
"Yes, I remember but you did not share which."
"True and I did that for a reason. The powerful being that shields them from me is aware that I know who they are." Diablo said and then reached for a small cylindrical device and activated it. It made a humming sound.
"What's that?"
"That is to ensure that the being will not hear us."
"He's that close?"
"I suspect he monitors from another dimension."
"Really?"
"Yes, he is although he is staying on the edge of my senses."
"Why?"
"I imagine for the same reason he keeps those people shielded from me."
"Which is?"
"Finding out who he is."
"So why not bait him?"
"I believe he does what he does because I am not ready to find that out just yet."
"That's very…."
"Weird," Diablo smiled. "I know how it looks but I do believe there is a reason for it."
"If you say so,"
"That being said I will now tell you who they are."
"Why?"
"Just listen." Diablo said. "The first person is Ms. Chloe Armstrong. I have not been able to see her aura since the time we met. I suspect he's using her for something. And no, I do not know what."
"Well that ship has sailed she's been in a coma for the past seven weeks."
"Yes and no,"
"What?"
"Ever since I noticed a change in her aura, the being has changed tactics."
"What is that supposed to mean? I don't understand."
"I had some time to think it over and I suspect I might have taken the same approach."
"I still don't get it."
"I will explain." Diablo stood up and started pacing. "The only way, at least for him, to do what he usually does with her, would be if attention is not focused on her. Or in simpler terms, if she is out of the picture, now what does this mean? It means that he intentionally put her in a coma."
"WHAT?"
"Relax, Colonel," Diablo said soothingly. "Chloe is perfectly fine. He put her in a coma thus diverting attention. And every now and then when he needs her she emerges and does whatever it is that she does for him and then she returns to sickbay and is back fast asleep."
"How do you know what?"
"I know that because I suspected it and so I charged Ms. Johansen to setup a few tiny cameras in sickbay. They operate on oscillating frequencies so they are not easily detectable and they picked up the activity."
"Oh, but why not…"
"Act on it? I think that is rather obvious. You will do nothing to jeopardize that. Besides she is in good hands, Eli's."
"Eli knows?"
"I suspect he's conscripted him for that too."
"How could you possibly know that for sure?"
"Well, think about it, Colonel and you will reach the same conclusion as me. Who found her?"
"Eli,"
"Now the question is – why was Eli looking for her? He did not just stumble accidentally on her. He was following her. And then I suspect he found out exactly what she was doing and then the being intervened and changed tactics. And here we are with Chloe in a coma and sleep waking (sort of) every two days with Eli as her guard."
"And I should not do anything about that?"
"No," Diablo nodded. "I suspect she will rise from her coma soon."
"Any particulate reason for that?"
"I am getting to it." Diablo said. "Now the second person I can't see is Ms. Johansen."
"WHAT?"
"When you all went into stasis, Destiny took over your brains so you remain engaged. But there are several people who the ship did not engage and Ms. Johansen is one of them. However until seven weeks ago, I had no problem with her aura."
"So what did change?"
"I am not sure but something did."
"Does she know?"
"I think she does now that I have shared that with her."
"You have?"
"Yes,"
"Why?"
"I believe she knows too but she can't say or write it down."
"You mean she doesn't want to?"
"No, she actually can't. It is a mind conditioning technique. Every time the subject tries all that it comes out is gibberish. The longer that person tries the most likely this person's brain will be damaged and then all it can speak will be gibberish so you are not going to pursue that either."
"That's monstrous, brilliant but monstrous,"
"It is a safeguard. Now, the third person is Ms. Wray."
"Camille?"
"Yes, I suspect that whatever triggered him to shield Tamara did the same with her."
"Have you told her too?"
"No, Camille has a tendency of uncovering things and that will not be good for her but it is possible that when she and Tamara are together they can talk about it without any bad side effects."
"Convenient,"
"Perhaps, but it is useful."
"Okay, so that makes three people, and you said four."
"Yes, I did." Diablo sat down again. "The fourth person is different from the rest. She is not linked with our powerful being."
"She?"
"Yes, I'm talking about Dr. Cameron."
"Really? So why do you think she's not linked to the others?"
"At first, her aura was only partially hidden from me and now it is fully but the reason is different. And soon you will have to deal with something that is not common to your universe."
"I am not sure I follow your trail of thought."
"Partial obscurity of an aura is a portent of change that is common to all universes. It signifies that this person is on the verge of obtaining, no of developing powers."
"Ah, what?"
"When I first noticed it, I thought that perhaps it is linked to me and our arrival to your universe but as things progressed it became clear that this would have happened whether I was here or not. But it is fortunate that I am here."
"How's that fortunate?"
"The human race has a tendency of treating anything out of the normal with great prejudice, mistrust, fear and control. And that is something that you cannot allow.
Very soon, her powers will emerge and this will freak her out in ways you can't even begin to imagine. Actually that will freak anyone out. And she will need your support more than ever. And this is also the time for you to prove that you're better than your natural response to such things."
"What kind of powers?"
"I have no idea. Each person is different."
"But can this power be dangerous?"
"Colonel, any power can be dangerous. Your power is dangerous."
"I have no power."
"Really?"
"Well, I don't."
"Wrong, you do. You decide every day what everyone does. You hold the lives of these people in your hands. Your decision of what happens to each of them is your power. And that power can be dangerous."
"That's different. They are my responsibility."
"The principle is the same."
"So what do I do?"
"You will be there for her. You all will be there for her. The transition from your natural state to the evolved one is a painful one. This transition will scare her a lot. She must be in a loving and nurturing environment. This way it will not matter what happens. This way, she will feel safe and not alone, which is very important when people evolve.
You told me that the panicle of your evolution is ascension. And I told you that this is bullshit and very soon you will understand how very right I am. Your evolution has nothing to do with the evolution of the Ancients. Your two races are on a different path.
And Dr. Cameron is one of the first that will show you that. But she must not be met with fear or loathing otherwise like any other cliché movie she will turn badly and become something out of what you will make her if you push her in that direction. No one is born evil or good. That is the job of the environment in which you grow."
"I suppose my question was what if her powers are damaging?"
"Then you will deal with it. You will encourage her like you would a child that has just learnt how to throw things and help her master them with patience and support. You do not kill your child just because it has broken a glass or two, or your computer, do you?"
"Well, no,"
"Well there you go. It is the same principle. But you need to convince the others."
"What should I expect?"
"Well the power cycle is the same for everyone – more or less. So the first thing that happens is fear, then doubt, then fear, then you wonder if you are losing your mind, then you think it is a coincidence that something happened and you have nothing to do with it, then it is enjoyment of the thing you can do and then it is the fun time when you do it just for the pleasure of it, and then comes the reality check. That is most important phase when you have to decide whether to use this power or not. And then what are you going to use that power for – good or evil."
"I see. You went through the same process."
"I did like everyone else that transitions from his natural state to the evolved one though Dr. Cameron has one advantage over me."
"Which is?"
"She has you. She has someone to help her out. I had no one."
"Oh, well, in that case, we will do our best."
"People that witness this also go through a phase – bewilderment, owe, and fear lots of it, jealousy, fear and violent action to silence it or use it and then end it."
"No, I will not allow that."
"Let's hope that fear doesn't take over because then it is very possible they will silence you as well for protecting the 'witch'. I have seen this many, many times. And it is sad."
"I will not allow it."
"I hope so."
Everett used the silence to process this load of new information. It was indeed too much. Diablo has managed to figure out a lot on his own but was still keeping things for himself. He was certain that he knew more about that being than he was letting on. But the knowledge that one of his crew was about to achieve evolution in a way different from what they have believed is the only path for them was greatest revelation and the most difficult to process.
Everett knew that Diablo viewed their race through a different lens and he was now beginning to understand it. He has seen their potential elsewhere. Still it was a scary thought that one of his will develop powers without ascending. And the scenario Diablo described is pretty much that he expected everyone would do when this comes to light.
But he was also sure of his affirmation that he will not allow it to go in that direction. He could only try to imagine what he would feel if he developed powers and how he would feel about it when met with all these negative sentiments that Diablo expressed. He would definitely not want to be alone and misjudged or misunderstood. That could push anyone in the wrong direction and here without support you are as good as dead.
He understood that he needed to share that with his command stuff first. He needed their understanding and support for when it hits the fan. They all needed to be united in their decision to preserve the future of the crew and apparently the human race.
He was ready to leave but something kept him to stay.
"Is there anything else?" He asked Diablo.
"Yes, gather everyone in the gate room, I have a few announcements to make."
"Ok, let's say in an hour,"
"Make that two hours,"
"Okay, we will be waiting." Everett left.
Diablo waited for him to leave and then moved back to the hidden space. There he had packed a small duffel bag.
"Avatar,"
"Milord,"
"Make a copy of the base codes and the navigational logs,"
"Yes, milord," Avatar replied. "This will take some time."
"You have to be ready by early morning."
"I will be."
"Good," Diablo said. He had only a few small things to care of before speaking to the crew.
Everett used the time to inform everyone of the meeting in the gate room and then he gathered his trusted command crew (even Tamara and Camille despite the things he knew about them) so he can inform them of Diablo's latest surprise.
"Say what?" Camille exclaimed stunned.
"That's not possible." Nicholas exclaimed even more stunned as he actually still believed that ascension is the best the humans could do.
"I am only sharing what he said." Everett said raising hands defensively. He expected they would react this way. "But he's pretty sure about that given that he's gone through it too."
"Perhaps there is more than one stage before ascension." Matt said.
"No, developing powers always leads to ascension," Nicholas countered.
"And what if he's right and we are wrong?" Everett asked. He was never onboard with the whole ascension thing anyway.
"Colonel, we have seen plenty of examples – Anubis clone, Dr. Jackson, Dr. McKay, and others."
"He is right, Colonel." Tamara said. "Their brain activity had reached above 90 percent and then they ascended."
"And out of curiosity what if she's different?" Everett countered. "He knows more about auras then we do."
"Perhaps," Nicholas said. "But he's not seen the others. Anyone that has developed in our experience so far has ascended."
"Alright," Everett said. "Let's wait and see. And if you are right then she will ascend but if you are not then she will need our support and help. There will be no isolation…"
"But Colonel,"
"No butts," Everett said adamantly. "Let's imagine for one moment that Diablo is right. How would anyone of you feel if that happens to you? Would you enjoy being imprisoned, treated like dirt, met with fear, with violence, and misunderstood just when you were part of a family that has suddenly turned their backs on you? Would you like it?"
Everyone moved uncomfortably. Of course they would not like it.
"It is not that simple, Colonel. We do not know what her powers can do…"
"You are right. We do not and until we do and even after that she's one of us. I know many people will feel jealous and that could lead to a division among us (if not worse) that can't be allowed. It is a time when we as a race will be tested.
And if our path is meant to be different from that of the Ancients then so be it. And how we choose to embrace this change will show whether we as race are worth preserving. We can't shy away from it because our evolution has taken a path away from what we have always thought would be it.
Scientists, Rush, always speak of keeping an open mind about things that are far crazier than one of our own evolving differently and yet you are saying that we can't do the same when one of our own shows us a different path?"
Nicholas had to admit that the Colonel has a point despite the evidence to the contrary. It was fully possible that Diablo had seen something different about them given his reaction to their belief of ascension. He also understood well what is to be misunderstood or misjudged.
"Okay, we will keep an open mind about this." He said earning looks of surprise from the others. "But all I am saying is also that if she is dangerous to us and herself, then she needs to be isolated."
"I can agree here but she can never be alone."
"I can agree to that too."
Everett looked at the others. They were deciding whether to side with them or not. "Everyone is entitled to an opinion hence the reason I am sharing this with you."
"Okay," Camille said. "If by some fluke, Diablo is right, then I agree we should do everything we can to help her go through it. But I think it wise to share that with the rest of the crew."
"I am not sure that is a good idea." Greer said.
"Well, it is not buddy but I agree with Wray we should tell everyone." Matt shared.
"I will keep her for a medical check at that time." Tamara said.
"People, see it this way – Chloe underwent a transformation that we treated probably the wrong way. We can't put her through that too."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Everyone felt the guilt of that moment. Perhaps if they had taken different approach things may have turned in a different direction. Ironically, Rush was the only one who took the cynical road then and used it to their advantage.
"It is time for Diablo's speech. Let's go." Everett said ending this discussion for now. He knew they will have many more of them.
They joined the others in the gate room. Everett looked at the gathered mass and they stood patiently and impatiently waiting for the mystery man to arrive. He noticed though Lt. James and Viz were not among them.
"Oh, crap," He exclaimed. "Greer! Go find James and Viz, and try not to freak out."
"Yes, sir," Ronald wondered what the colonel meant though the thought did crawl in his mind and he was disgusted of it. He had noticed that they hang out lately but that thought would not have crossed his mind, not even in a million years. James used to do that with Matt before he met Chloe.
Soon he did find them and wished that he did not see what he saw but it was too late. 'I am going to be scarred for a long time.' "Ahem," He made his presence known.
Lt. James jumped when Greer spoke. "Ah, Sergeant, it is not what it looks like it."
"I don't want to hear about it. I am already scarred for life."
"Humans," Viz exclaimed and shook head. "What's the reason for this rude interruption?"
"Diablo's making a speech."
"He is?" Viz exclaimed this time surprised. "For what?"
"I don't know. I came to fetch you and I wish I did not."
"Oh, come on, human, cheer up. Every creature in the universe does this."
"I will take your word for it. Can we go now?"
"We will be a moment." James replied.
"Fine by me," Ronald said and left as quickly as he could.
"He's adorable." Viz shared.
"He is."
"He is not shy in that area?"
"No, but I imagine the position might have derailed him a bit."
"Oh," Viz nodded understanding. "I see. I guess next time we will do this the human way."
"Fine by me though both work for me,"
"Meow,"
They joined the others. Fortunately Diablo had not yet arrived. One look and Everett knew what has happened. Seeing also Greer's expression he imagined he must have seen something he wished he did not. It brought a smile to his face. It must have been something.
Diablo's voice took him out of his thoughts. "Thank you all for coming,"
"Why are we here?" Camille asked.
"I have a few announcements to make." Diablo replied. "So please be seated."
"Sure,"
"I am sure some of you have wondered where I have disappeared for the past seven eight weeks." Diablo said and seeing the nodding continued. "I have been preparing some changes for the ship."
"Such as?" Nicholas asked.
"First I am going to address an issue that seems to worry everyone and some more than the others." He said looking mostly at Eli. "Dr. Perry and Ginn have been transferred to their new bodies. That is an extensive process. At this time, they are still not aware that they are in there as time flows in a very different fashion for them. Imagine it this way – minutes in cyber space are like days in here."
"What?" Eli asked.
"It will be months before they can interact with you."
"MONTHS?" Both Eli and Nicholas exclaimed.
"Mr. Wallace, this is not Tron. They have not been teleported with their bodies into cyber space so they can teleport back the way they entered.
Despite their bodies being fully grown and their full consciousness being transferred to them nature can't be circumvented. It will take time. First they will realize where they are and then you will know that they have made it."
"How?"
"When their bodies start to convulse." Everett answered instead.
"Wait – what?"
"Listen," Diablo turned the attention back to him. "That is part of the process. Once this happens the real integration begins and that will take time. How long do you think babies take to learn how to walk, how to understand, how to speak – that takes years. The two have an advantage over the infants but they still have to relearn it. And that process can't be circumvented."
"Oh,"
"Good," Diablo said. "Now, point two – I have made a new shield grid. Don't get me wrong, the Ancients did a superb job with the current one but at the time they made it they foresaw it for they knew and some of what they suspected. But it is a million years old and despite surviving so far it has a lot of holes.
The new one however is different. It is the very same type of shielding that I use on my flagship. It is the kind of shield that can survive the ship being thrown into a speed lane such as the one I put this ship through with the help of my personal shield. For those who wonder what the hell this means – my flagship can maintain a speed of one hundred and five light years per second for a year."
"WOW!" Nicholas and Eli couldn't help but exclaim. That was an insane speed. That was one gigaparsec and the distance at which Destiny was currently away from Earth. Destiny took a million years to get here while Diablo's ship could do that in a single year.
"The new shield has a power source of its own but until it is fully operational it will use the power grid of Destiny. Ironically it will use less power than the current one but it is much more powerful.
Point three – I am implementing a last resort weapon. And I mean it – a last resort. This is the kind of weapon that in my universe is banned. Anyone caught to be using such technology is subject to immediate disintegration. However we are not in my universe still it is to be used only in the direst of circumstance. It…"
"What does it do?" Everett interrupted.
"You don't want to know." Viz replied having figured out what kind it is.
"Make sure that if it is used there is nothing else in its path."
"I will. Wait! Why would I be the one?" Viz asked.
Diablo continued ignoring his question for now. "Point four – I have also built another type of weapons. And it is point to point defense turrets. These are anti-craft weapons used primarily for neutralizing fighters or shuttles. They are on an automatic regime that allows them to do the tracking and the shooting down. The system has excluded Destiny's shuttles and it will only fire on them if they fail to authenticate.
Point five - the other weapons are Ion cannons. Ion cannons are used only for depleting enemy ship's shields. Both of these weapons will be on Destiny's power grid but they use less power than the ordinary weapons. And with time, a separate power source may be built for them.
Point six – which is the most important one as it deals with your sanity. And the only person who knows about this one is Dr. Cameron since she was rather insistent on knowing. And that is, and to use Mr. Wallace's endless parade of useless references, a holodeck."
"YES!" Eli exclaimed though he was hoping he meant what he thought he meant.
"As you can see Mr. Wallace is very excited and to answer his unasked question – yes it is exactly what you think."
"Cool,"
"There will be several holodecks spread throughout the ship. The purpose is simple – a time away. Imagine it this way – what if instead of watching your favorite movie you can actually participate in it as a character."
"That's impossible and pointless. You won't be to interact and it is essentially an illusion. You will be waving your hands pointlessly in the air." Nicholas said.
"Yes and no, Dr. Rush. Besides you are referring to your version of it, which is using goggles." Diablo replied. "The holodeck utilizes photonic energy."
"What the hell is that?"
"Let me show you." Diablo replied. "Avatar,"
A hologram appeared on the deck next to him earning looks of shock.
"This is Avatar. Please, be so kind and pass me that cup." Diablo motioned to the cup Nicholas was currently holding.
Avatar walked to him and despite Nicholas' misgiving about losing his favorite cup the hologram took it from his hand and hand it over to Diablo.
"That's impossible."
"It is not impossible, Dr. Rush, it is science with which Viz will delight to bother you later." Diablo smiled. "The holodecks can recreate any environment. The principle of it is similar to your beaming technology. They can be used for training, simulations and movies, theater, and whatever your twisted minds can come up with.
It will seem so real to you that you will barely be able to tell the difference. Holodeck technology is always used for long term trips as it helps keep the crew sane in the vastness of space.
Sadly there are some side effects such as holo-addiction. It is something to be careful with."
"But how will these environments be created?" Matt asked.
"Well that is up to you. I have left detailed instructions on how to program them. As for the different scenarios you will have to write them, like you would a book or a movie." Diablo explained.
"How would training feel real if the bullets are not real?" Ronald asked.
"The holodecks have safety protocols that will not allow for the bullets to kill you but they can easily injure you. Or imagine it fighting enemies that shoot with rubber bullets. They can't exactly kill you but it still hurts like hell." Diablo replied.
"Ahem," Viz interrupted having finally caught up on something. "What did you mean by I have left instructions? Aren't you going to be here to explain it?"
"Well, I am glad someone is paying attention." Diablo said with a broad smile. "No, Viz, I will not be."
"WHAT? What the hell do you mean?"
"It means that I am leaving the ship."
"You are – what?" Everett exclaimed shocked and everyone erupted with him.
Diablo raised hands to calm them down. "Ok, simmer down."
"Where are you going?" Camille asked.
"I am going to Earth."
"How? You said so many times that you are not going to use the stones." Nicholas reasoned.
"And I am not. I have no desire to kill anyone, Dr. Rush."
"What do you mean?"
"As I have explained before, I can't use the stones because the poor idiot with whom I exchange bodies will not survive the experience. Simply put that poor soul's body will die the moment I enter it as it can't handle my energy levels and the moment I return back he will arrive in a dead body and shortly he will be so too.
Viz on the other hand could go but that requires special preparations, which I would not recommend either."
"Why?" Everett asked.
"The only way he could use the stones is if the one on the other side you have prepared is a shell."
"A shell?"
"He means that it can't be a living person. The body can be living but brain dead."
"I meant it has to be a shell, and yes, a living one, but it is not recommended as when the connection is severed it will be difficult to explain (and especially if he is outside of the base) why the body has suddenly lost the brain and then back to life, and then again flopping back to the ground, should I go on?"
"No, that explains it." Everett got the picture. "But how do you plan to go to Earth?"
"And why not take someone with you?" Camille asked.
"I can't take anyone with me, Ms. Wray, because that person will not survive the trip."
"Convenient,"
"Shush everyone," Viz said aloud. "How are you going to go there?"
"Do you want the short version or the long version?"
"You can start with the short one."
"Subspace Express,"
Viz blinked a few times, opened and closed his mouth, and then said. "What? How about the long one,"
"Okay," Diablo said and waved his hand. Out of the blue images of several galaxies appeared with all the stars and then underneath a vast maze. "There are many ways to travel in space. Some of these ways use FTL, warp, hyperspace, slipstream and other drives that allow you access to subspace. Other means are wormholes, black holes, spatial flexures, quasars, pulsars and distortions in space time. All these ways or most of them converge in subspace which is as you can see a vast maze or network.
There are also alpha gates and subspace gates. They are very similar to the stargate but different as they are the natural gates.
Let's say you want to go from galaxy A to galaxy B. For this you will need an alpha gate. An alpha gate goes from A to B and it branches to all the neighboring galaxies of B being B1, B2, B3, C and D and so on.
Now let's say you want to go from galaxy A to galaxy M. For that you will need a subspace gate. And then you want to go back from M to A but the subspace gate of M doesn't go to A it goes only to G. From G you may be lucky to have an alpha gate that goes to a neighboring galaxy E from which you can take another one and reach D from which you can take another to A.
There are different scenarios but when one knows subspace and how it works, more or less, you can cover insane distances very fast.
Now the last version is the Subspace Express. That is a sort of wormhole that travels around the universe. So like a train, it moves around. It doesn't stop at the usual stops it skips a lot of them allowing to reach a destination faster.
The only problem is no one, and I mean no one, knows its destination. One can pick up when it is near but can't predict where it is going to go."
"If you can't predict where it will go then how are you going to reach Earth?" Viz asked even more perplexed than before.
"The Subspace Express periodically spats you out and goes to wherever it is going. But it is not the only one. There are many such versions that cross the universe. As to why, that is simple."
"Meaning?"
"Being spat out somewhere gives me the opportunity to find myself into a galaxy I actually know and from there getting to Earth will be a piece of cake."
"That is ridiculous. You can be crossing the universe in either direction without recognizing the galaxy for, for…"
"You mean the time. Yes it could take between one hour and the end of time."
"Are you insane?" Viz exclaimed. "Sorry, you are insane. That could take an eternity."
"I suppose yes."
"Why would take such a risk?" Everett asked.
"I am going, Colonel, because I am tired of waiting."
"For what?"
"I am tired of your SGC's inability to find any information on the Ancients for what we need and they have had more than sufficient time for that. Hell even statistically by now, they should have stumbled accidentally on something.
That tells me that either they are not taking this seriously or they are too busy to allocate the sufficient resources for the search. Either way I am going there to speed up the process."
"Like Viz said, what makes you so sure that you will find a galaxy you actually know?"
"Our universes despite being slightly different are very similar and in my experience the galactic positioning in the different universes is pretty much the same. So the chances are very high."
"That is a gamble."
"True, I won't deny it but I am going."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning,"
"Alright, I will alert the SGC to expect you and …"
"You will do nothing of the kind, Colonel."
"Ah, why?"
"Well, one, I do not know when that would be and two – why spoil the surprise?"
"But they will definitely notice your absence when they come to visit."
"Will they now? You have Viz. He can easily pass for me and besides there are still times when even you can't tell the difference."
"Wait a minute! I am staying here?"
"Of course, you are staying here. They need you."
"How are you going to come back here?"
"Once I am in the Milky Way I will find my own way back to here. Besides, the people could benefit from a few things from home and a bit more personnel."
"You are going to use the Stargate?"
"Well, it is the fastest way."
"Oh, we do have an Icarus planet that can be used and…"
"No, for the love of all the gods," Diablo exclaimed. "I will not be using an Icarus Planet. I know what you did to the last two and I am not going to blow up a planet, let alone an inhabited one to get here."
"Why not use the gate when Destiny is recharging?"
"The last time you tried that Doctor you ended up creating a civilization, so no thank you!"
"Then ho…"
"Dr. Rush, please, relax as I said I know subspace better than anyone alive. I will find my way back. How, why, when, what. That is currently irrelevant."
"What I still do not understand is why can't you take someone with you?" Camille asked again.
"Ms. Wray, how many of you can survive in space without a suit? How many of you can navigate a fast moving vortex (like a tornado but at the speed of light or faster)? And the answer is: none of you. And then to answer the question that inevitably will follow, I can't take anyone with me let alone protect him while I battle with one of nature's most fierce manners of travel, if not the most fierce."
"That's very con…"
"It has nothing to do with convenience, Ms. Wray. It is the simple and quite ugly truth. You have no idea how complicated that is. So far, I have not focused that much and I will need to otherwise this might take an eternity and I am not so keen on spending it that way."
"Well, it seems you have made up your mind." Everett put an end to all the questions. "We can only wish you good luck and hope that it doesn't take an eternity to reach Earth. I promise we will not tell them."
"Thank you, Colonel," Diablo appreciated the gesture. "Viz, these are your instructions." And he handed him a thumb drive.
"I, ahem, I …"
"I know but you will adapt. Life is full of ups and downs and we must learn to adapt. Now is a good as any for you to learn that."
"I hate you!"
"I love you too."
To be continued in season 5…
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Lordheaven
