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 Five – 'Adjustment'

Premise:

The crew of Destiny exited stasis only to discover two new passengers from another universe, which have spent their time fixing the ship. After some deliberations, they choose the keep them onboard as their newest allies.

Not long after, an Ancient seed ship nearly killed them all forcing them to start exploring the reason for that. Some of the discoveries they made shook them to their core and beliefs but much mystery remains. And one of the biggest ones is another powerful being that keeps obstructing Diablo in his quest for the truth.

Unsatisfied with the lack of progress of the SGC, Diablo leaves the ship and returns to the Milky Way Galaxy to dig up the history of the Ancients. Meanwhile on the Destiny life continues as the crew adjusts to the new realities.

Chapter 1

Colonel Young enjoyed the R&R on any world they visited as it was a time off the ship and away from the burdens of command and every day shenanigans. This world he was on right now was weird as hell. It was covered in ice and yet it was hot. It was a weirdness that none of the onboard scientists could explain. Hot ice – who would have guessed?

The universe was truly full of diverse surprises. Last month they were on a swamp world but it was butt freezing. It was again one of those strange things that stunned the scientists and their incessant way of explaining everything.

Hence he was barefoot on an ice mound several feet wide. The sensation was a mix of cold and hot that did wonders for his calluses. Walking the breath of the ship every day would give anyone calluses. He moved just a bit to make room for Lt. Scott who had the same idea as him though not for the same reason.

"How's the extraction going?"

"As well as it can be expected," Matt replied. "Oh, this is bliss."

"I know."

The two remained on the strange surface for a long time. It was so relaxing not only for the soul but for the body.

"Oh, so that's where you two are?"

It was Camille. She had stepped up since the departure of Diablo as she had some amends to make. Everett had let her establish something of a civilian government. That had made her very happy and had boosted morale.

"Come and join us." Everett said. "Matt, move a bit."

"Sure,"

Camille sat next to them. "Oh, wow!"

"Yeah, right?"

"Oh, I can understand why." Camille nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile on the ship work proceeded on recovering as many of the weird ice blocks as possible. Finding a containment unit for them had been much more complicated. The original idea was to carve out ice blocks and extract the water but the discovery of the ice hot properties led to another brilliant idea – spa.

Eli was in charge of the transfer. He enjoyed the challenge. The tricky part was to learn what made the ice blocks maintain this strange relationship. He suspected it was something kind of being that produced this exchange but it turned out to be an element in the atmosphere thus there was a need to create the necessary greenhouse process to maintain its stability even after being removed from its origin planet.

The mathematics involved would have turned, no, spun Albert Einstein's head and brought the geek out of him very quickly. Eli was very proud of this achievement though it was unlikely he would win the Nobel Prize that comes with such great discoveries as the likelihood of them returning home was slim to nonexistent.

Eli stopped to calibrate the field of the containment unit and then gave the ok to Dr. Volker to move it in. It got him thinking of this past year. It has been trying for everyone, well some more than others.

He remembered the day Dr. Cameron bolted out of the community meeting screaming. By the time, they figured why she had passed out. And then it was Colonel Young that told everyone that apparently she was developing powers for which he and the command crew had been expecting for some time.

Eli had been a bit surprised that it was not shared at the time they had learnt this may happen but he could understand why. The approach they had had with Chloe in the past did not do anyone any good but the delay here was linked to other issues they had at the time.

Dr. Cameron had developed – well, surprise, surprise – telepathic powers. Strangely enough she could read not only people but all kinds of beings. While they did not have any pets onboard or other insects that ability did not show right away. It was painfully difficult to help her master her ability to read people. In general people are not very keen on having their mind scanned and read like a book by someone else to whom they can't do the same.

But surprisingly everyone was so excited to have a telepath onboard that the support she received was mind blowing. It turned out that everyone onboard had a memory they wanted to remember but couldn't and Dr. Cameron was the perfect tool to unearth it.

First, she had been taught how to block everyone's thoughts as the rush usually caused her to faint. It had been so overwhelming for her that her body responded in the only possible way – cold turkey – full shut down.

Then slowly and bit by bit, she had to learn to isolate one head and peek in – first surface thoughts and then go deeper. Her teacher for that was Viz. He was best suited as his kind though not telepathic in that sense did have a telepathic link to their hosts. So he could best explain to her what it is like – the sensation and all.

With patience and lots of exercises and guinea pigs, she got the hang of it. Being the shrink on the ship vastly improved with her newfound ability. Imagine going and saying nothing as the doctor is reading already your thoughts and reacting to them. So in a way it is a one way conversation where only the doctor speaks and the patient only nods and thinks.

The shock came when they encountered the first animal on a small planet (though it turned out to be a moon). Dr. Cameron had come with the away team so she can take a break from reading people. She had been just a few minutes alone when everyone had heard her scream.

The sight she was found in was somewhat comic. She was standing next to a rock at which she was barking something and weirdly enough the rock was moving in rhythm with her. It took some time to realize it was not a rock but rather some animal camouflaged as a rock.

It took longer to understand that she had somehow crossed the language barrier with the animal. At first Viz had thought that she was seeing whatever the animal was experiencing and her mind was trying to interpret the images. But it turned out that she had been screaming not because of the shock of being inside some random animal's mind but because the animal was the one screaming in pain as she had sat on his foot and she had mirrored that in her scream.

That had at first Viz very concerned as her ability was developing with lightning speed but hopefully Eli found some obscure reference from his endless parade of movies to explain what was happening. This helped Viz to look at her newfound skill from a different angle that helped her calm down.

And then with the help of Rocky (yeah, I know it is corny) they had located a source of running water so the trip was not a waste of time. When asked to describe the experience Dr. Cameron had some difficulty expressing it. It was a new sensation as she had somehow bypassed the ginormous barrier of speaking an entirely different language with a being whose only commonality with them was the act of breathing and got to communicate with it as an equal and convey their needs.

And this skill had come as blessing to them. Every time they had needed an interpreter on a new world communication had been very easy. Viz had no explanation for this. He had never met anyone that could do that.

Everett had tried to imagine how the battle with Chloe's aliens would have gone if Dr. Cameron had that ability then. Viz was certain they would not have enjoyed that at all as she would have been able not only to monitor their communications but relay everything about their ships to them and the battle would have been very short. Same was valid for the alien AIs they met in the previous galaxy.

Eli could relax as the last of the ice blocks had been shipped and contained. Of course, whose idea was to build a spa center – he figured it had to be the women. Having showers with running water was not enough. So why not have – a spa and a Jacuzzi? He was beginning to think that the Ancients would have had a field day had they known that their descendants would turn Destiny into a 5-star luxury cruiser.

He was actually amazed that he managed to find a way to keep the ice blocks the way they were on the planet. He only hoped that this experience would not have some adverse effect on humans. So far on the many worlds they had visited there has rarely been one where there were no adverse for them effects.

"Eli?"

It was Chloe. She and he have started to spend more time together. That was of course due to the common being they visited every three days or so. He had increased the time span since Diablo's departure but still they met quite often. Eli felt slightly guilty every time as Matt did not know anything about it and sadly he could not tell him either. Every time he had tried he would have spoken about something else. He had found that to be very annoying. He had tried writing it down many, many times but the hold that being had over him was very strong and the only thing he succeeded scribbling was a bunch of lines in gibberish.

"Chloe now is not a good time."

"It never is."

"Not again,"

"No, this time it is me. Please come."

"Right,"

Eli left the gate room and headed to their usual spot – an abandon lab three levels below the gate.

Chloe was in a reddish dress – just like a doll. Eli banished this thought. He had had aspirations for them to end up together but that passed long ago. Still being alone with her for so long now had brought those thoughts and feelings back to the surface. The dress was beautiful though. Dress – a few years ago he would have simply dreamt about such things as all they had were the clothes on their backs. Now they had everything they wanted, well, not everything but they had lots of things.

This was the price they paid for being with Diablo. The man simply could not exist in an environment where there were no comforts. True he did create most of them as apparently he was used to having them around him. But sometimes it made Eli wonder what kind of fleet of ships the man commanded – a bunch of luxury liners or warships or both. The military would have found this abundance inefficient and a complete waste of resources. A ship needs to be functional but simple.

"Chloe?"

"Hey," She waved him to get in.

Eli swallowed and banished all naughty thoughts from his head.

"What is that?" Eli pointed at the hovering holographic map of the universe. This was one of the latest surprises their master presented them with. Eli was pointing at one dot that kept appearing and disappearing, jumping from galaxy to galaxy in a completely chaotic manner.

"According to him, that is Diablo."

"What? No one could move this fast."

"You did remember him mentioning the subspace express, didn't you?"

"Yeah,"

"Well according to him, this is what it looks like when you use the express."

"Is it in real time?"

"I don't think so. I think it had recorded the first few weeks."

"Recorded – how?"

"Apparently, he had him tagged."

"Let's hope he doesn't know that otherwise I imagine he would be rather pissed for being used as a mouse."

"I don't think he has realized it."

"And yet it recorded only the first few weeks. It would be safe to assume he figured it out eventually."

"Or the tag lost its potency at some point,"

"Is this why you called me here?"

"No," Chloe looked down. Her cheeks were red.

Actually a closer look told him she positively glowed. Cheeks redder, lips slightly bigger, hell, even her boobs seemed bigger (which was very arousing on one hand) and then it hit him.

"Oh, hell," Eli exclaimed. "Are you pregnant? Congratulation! Does Matt know?"

Chloe looked up somewhat relieved but still there was some concern.

"What is it? I thought you would be more, you know, positive about it."

"And normally I would be but..." Chloe's voice trailed off.

"But?"

"I am not sure about bringing a child in this world with Him doing all these things to us."

"Ah," Eli understood her hesitance. 'Him' has had them, well not them but her, doing crazy shit, very crazy. Chloe was right to be afraid what this might do an unborn foetus. "Have you told Him?"

"No, not yet,"

"You should tell Matt first though and then Him."

"That is if I decide to keep it..."

"Of course, you will keep it." Eli said. "I will be a very proud godfather or something. You will be depriving me and the others of such joy..."

"Calm down, Eli," Chloe smiled. "And what if he turns out to be different than us or...?"

"You know we do have one that is currently feeling very different and damn spooked, no, scratch that, we have two that feel that way."

"Two?"

"Well, Viz is putting up a brave face but he is just as spooked as Rhea."

"You can't blame her. I mean she's like a telepathic antenna."

"True but she can't read us."

"She can. She just chooses not to share what she knows."

"And 'Him' hasn't done anything about it?"

"I don't think he sees her as a threat."

"Anyway, you should keep it. It will make everyone so happy but mostly it should make you happy."

"I am happy Eli, just concerned." Chloe said. "I have been exposed to god knows what types of radiations and genetic manipulations. I have no idea what would become of the child."

"I think every mother wonders that about her child at one point or another. But whatever it is we will face it together. There is really nothing to be afraid."

"Thank you! I know I can always count on you." Chloe said and hugged him.

"Thanks, I think." It was Eli's turn to turn red.

Chloe pulled back. She remembered the first days they were together on the Hammond. They were the only ones their age. It felt somewhat natural for Eli to want more of them to become but it was not supposed to last this long anyway. And then they came to Destiny and it was obvious he wanted more but it was more for the sake of connection than anything else. Still she had felt the pull too and used it a couple of times when the need arose. She had felt guilty a bit but it had passed.

Men – they all wanted the same from women they meet. But then again 'it was perfectly natural' to borrow a quote from one of those movies Eli enjoys making references. She had never, well, she had thought of it, of course. She still remembers the girls' talk she had with the other women onboard when they were discussing who was hot among the other gender.

Gender...she had memorized everyone onboard and knew of one or two who hid theirs. She had thought of that too. She often wondered if Matt would be ok for one or two sessions. Men did not enjoy having their prowess challenged by good looking women with extensions. Still it would be interesting.

"You know I remember a time you wouldn't have minded jumping into the saddle."

"What?" Eli exclaimed. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh, come on, admit it." Chloe looked at him in a certain way that he instinctively backed away but smiled.

"Fine," He said raising hands defensively. "I wouldn't have minded jumping you."

"I knew it. Men."

"Oh, please, you have not fallen that far from the tree either."

"Me?"

"I have seen how you look sometimes at James or even Tamara. Women!"

"Ok, I think the hormones have gotten the best of both of us."

"Well, I am not the one overproducing them."

"Hey, that's hardly fair."

"But in all seriousness, you need to tell Matt. He has the right to know." Eli said and then added. "Provided he's the one..."

"Well, of course, he is."

"You had some time off together."

"True but I wasn't with anyone else."

"Are you sure?"

"Eli, what do you mean?"

"I have seen you around him."

"HIM? Are you crazy?"

"Not 'HIM' – him,"

"Diablo? Are you insane?"

"Well, women do insane things and I meant Viz."

"I know. This is preposterous. He can't have..."

"And you know that how?"

"I think that should be obvious. Lt. James isn't pregnant now is she?"

"As far as we know, you mean."

"ELI!"

"I am just saying – better check to be sure."

"For your information, I have not done it with him."

"So what you just watched – nymph?"

Chloe become redder. "I may have witnessed how they do it but I did not join them. I was curious."

"Yeah, I remember Grier. He still has nightmares about it." Eli said but he was smiling.

"You know. I should take you to see it too then perhaps you would stop."

"Oh, no, thank you," Eli said defensively. "I'd like to keep my sanity. Once you have seen it you can't simply pretend you did not see it."

"Well, that depends on what Grier saw."

"I can only imagine. No. I don't want to imagine."

"It is not that crazy. Actually it gave me a few ideas that I applied with..."

"Stop! I don't want to know about your sex life with Matt."

"It is a perfectly natural subject to discuss Eli. There is nothing shameful about it. It is only sex."

"So you discuss with him the details? I doubt that." Eli said. "It is something more likely for you to discuss with the other women."

"True,"

"Can we change the subject?"

"Sure," Chloe said. She found the direction of their conversation very refreshing and she also felt relieved. She wanted to keep the child. Of course, she was tempted to join Viz and Lt. James – who wouldn't be. But she wanted Matt and though at the time they had their issues she was loyal.

Still the conversation itself proved to her that she had some feelings for Eli too. They were not in the way Eli would have interpreted or wanted but they were there. She felt closer to Eli because of their age but with time it had evolved to a brother sister's bond. Was there a place for something more? Perhaps if she had never fallen for Matt it could have been Eli. But that was only speculation of the famous question 'what if' and there was no need for it. What was meant to be will be.

"Will be the godfather then?" Chloe asked.

"Yes, I would be honored."

"And help with the name?"

"Sure,"

"Alright, we have a deal." Chloe said. "Besides, Ginn would be relieved..."

Ginn, Eli had for a moment forgotten that he had been blessed with having her back in his life but that's what happens when you spent more time with your first crush. He felt slightly guilty for having these thoughts about Chloe but then again he could not have anticipated the direction their conversation would take. He only hoped she would see the innocent conversation this was...

"Let's hope she doesn't kill either of us for spending so much time together."

"She won't. Being the ship's avatar has its perks."

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Lordheaven