A/N: Captain Black Athena mentioned that some of the words in this story were being smashed together. Heheh, seems this site doesn't like my ellipses, it seems to cut them out and pretty much fuse the words. So, I'm using ---- instead, hopefully that will work. Sorry for the confusion. Also, I've placed a small section at the end of this chapter for pronunciation on some of these race names, character names, etc. Hope it helps. Well, without further ado…
Chapter Eight: The Yu'set
Rodney found himself taking the steps down to the Stargate two at a time, the task much easier then he remembered it due to Sheppard's gaining influence over his body. McKay did have to admit the feeling was both strange and, though he hated to admit it---enticing. He'd felt better then he had in years, had more energy then he knew what to do with, and though he couldn't exactly prove it; believed he was gaining a bit of muscle definition in his arms. On the other hand, he did have this obnoxious hankering to play Fooseball, not to mention an overwhelming sense of do-goody-ness. The whole---sharing a body with a military leader stick was a double-edged sword in the end, leaving Rodney less-then pleased.
He made his way up to Weir's side, feeling a renewed excitement that had to be John's doing. There was a sense of hope that the physicist hadn't felt in days. Perhaps now they could get to the bottom of their predicament before it was too late, for them both.
A small but heavily outfitted team of soldiers spread out in clusters around the Stargate, ready to take defensive action if needed. Because of the Major's absence, Sgt. Bates had eagerly stepped up to resume command of the military units; he himself loomed in the background. A look of unmistakable displeasure on his face.
The watery surface of the gate rippled, streaming light into the room as the defense groups took aim and waited, the sounds of a dozen guns being prepped was nearly drowned out by the hum of the horizon.
Tensions were thick. McKay suddenly pictured a white plastic picnic knife shattering on nothing. His eyes rolled, mumbling to himself. "Thank you for that visual."
"Sorry, just----popped in there." John replied dryly, a bit embarrassed to fall back on a cliché. Absent mindedly he put Rodney's right hand into the physicist's pocket. McKay looked down at his appendage as if it haunted and quickly yanked his hand back out.
Elizabeth, hearing a voice over her shoulder, tore her eyes from the gate for a moment to look at McKay. Her brow creased with a questioning look, thinking that perhaps the physicist was speaking to her.
Rodney shrugged.
"What do you think they look like?" She asked then, turning her gaze back to the gate, wondering just what was taking so long.
"Short" McKay quipped, to which he received a reprimanding glance from Elizabeth.
"What?" Rodney defended. "It's plausible. Who said every race out in the known and unknown universe has to be some goliath monster. I mean they could be pigmies for all we know."
"And if they're cannibals too, we'll use you as a peace offering."
About to combat the Major's comment, McKay was cut short by a sudden movement in the horizon. Breaking the surface there stepped forth a cloaked and hooded figure. The defensive teams took aim, following the incoming traveler as it proceeded to remove its shroud, revealing not only a humanistic looking person, but a child as well.
Weir herself was shocked for a moment as the boy, looking around the tender age of seventeen made his way forward, coming within a few feet of where she was standing.
The lad, bowed---sandy colored curls shifting forward with his movement to return just around mid-ear when he stood once more. Turning his fair and airy eyes around the gathered groups of armed men, baring weapons aimed intently on him, the boy's eyes took on a saddened expression. "I do hope----" His voice gentle and slightly accented. "---this is not all for me?"
Weir steadied herself, wondering what the odds were that this was some sort of a trap, a trick to fool her and her men into lowering their defenses. Besides, what sort of race would send a child as a diplomat? "Only if it needs to be." Elizabeth replied formally. "Our apologies if this seems like an untrusting tactic---but defense of this city is a high priority."
The boy nodded, his concern lightening into a smile. "I assure you---as previously agreed, I am unarmed. As you can see." He unclasped his hands then, arms opening wide as a sign of reassurance. He then ever so slowly, untied the dark robe that hung round his shoulders; slinging it over his arm. Underneath the boy wore an outfit that John recognized instantly as the same he saw the defaced statues wearing in the temple. Draping lightly hued cloths bunched with an etch metal clasp near his shoulder, these garments flowed down, collecting near the floor.
"Then you're Keffis?" Ford slipped up a little closer now, eyeing the kid over. Why, put this Yu'set in fatigues and he could have been any of the men in the military units. Aiden could of sworn he went to school with a boy who looked just like him. Ford put out his hand.
The boy looked atthe extended hand as if it were some foreign object. Aiden laughed. "Oh, It's a hand shake see----" He reached out and carefully took Keffis's hand and placed it in his own, clasping it in a strong, sturdy shake. "It's a type of greeting back on Earth, where we come from."
Keffis laughed lightly, following the motion until Ford stepped back. "Pecular, yet enjoyable---thank you. I must admit to all of you---this negotiationis in fact my first." "But it is my responsibility to have Mave Ezer's wishes heard, andhe mustspeak to you urgently."
Weir couldn't help but admit she was a bit confused by the reply. "Mave--Ezer?"
"Yes, he and I have come personally to conduct these negotiations on your apparent use of the Aradis." Keffis concluded, surprised to find many a look of puzzlement from his new acquaintances. "One of you----has used the Aradis, have you not?"
"Alright." Rodney spoke up, raising a finger. "I'm not the only person here who's completely off the page right?" He glanced over to Ford who answered him with a slow nod. "Just making sure."
"Keffis forgive our ignorance but, you're the only one who came through the Stargate." Weir replied carefully. Could it have been possible that this Mave Ezer had some sort of cloaking device, or perhaps turned himself invisible? The very thought put a threatening idea into Elizabeth's mind. If say that was true, then who knew how many others had come through the gate----for all they knew, she and her men could have been surrounded and not even know it.
"I carry Ezer within me." The boy said quaintly, raising a hand up towards his head; touching two fingers to his brow. "Here."
"In your head." Ford reiterated, finally putting two and two together. Even though Dran had obviously lied about the Yu'set being alive, maybe he was right about the device they found in the ruined temple. If Keffis carried this Ezer, like McKay was totting Sheppard around---maybe there was a way to get them unstuck. "So that temple we found on P2M-744 was yours?"
"Temple? If you are referring to one of our lost villages, then you are correct. That is why it is of the up most importance that we discuss these matters. There seems little time to waste." Keffis turned serious then, believing it was high time to shed some light on the questions Ezer had.
"You can say that again." John muttered. Having watched this all from within Rodney's mind, John had the distinct feeling he wasn't going to like what the boy had to say. That sour feeling sapped through to McKay in mere moments, making the physicist frown without even realizing it.
"Perhaps." Weir began. "We can conduct these, negotiations, in a more comfortable setting. We have a conference room just above there." She pointed passed the stairs to the enclosed room, lined with slotted windows. "I hope that's alright with Ezer and yourself?"
"That will be most suitable." Keffis agreed, following Elizabeth as she led him up the stairs. Ford sidestepped over to where McKay was watching their enigmatic visitor ascend to the briefing room.
"Seems like a nice guy." Aiden shrugged, looking at the physicist for what he thought of the whole thing.
"Nice? He's 12." Rodney whipped back, folding his arms cross his chest.
"That 12 year old, McKay---is in the same state we are. Now there's got to be a reason he's completely fine with that."
McKay glanced off to the opposite side Ford was standing on. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."
"He could be playing the cute card to win us over for all we know."
"Cute card?" Aiden winced up, wondering just what sort of conversation was going on between the Major and Rodney at the moment.
McKay looked to the young lieutenant shaking his head as he started up the steps, Ford following after him. "I just want you to know, I'm not susceptible to the cuteness." The physicist shouted to no one in particular.
"Gee, I hadn't noticed. Just try not to offend him too much, alright?"
"Are you absolutely sure about this ma'am?" Bates asked, glaring into the briefing room as he stood outside the door, his eyes locking on their new visitor. Weir had subsequently delayed the medial teams to run their procedural tests on the alien, which bothered him greatly. Who knows what this thing, as he referred to the Yu'set could be carrying, could be capable of.
Weir could sense the man's untrusting nature towards Keffis, she had to admit she felt the same herself; though certainly much less. She still knew to keep her wits about her, but where would the bonds of trust be created if not for the conceding from one side for the other? Great steps in trust took sacrifice. "And I said, Sergeant. That I don't want him to feel any more unwelcome then he already has. We're still civilianized people." Elizabeth saw the disgruntle expression cross over Bates's face, so she quickly added. "But that doesn't mean I want us completely open to anything. What do you have in mind?"
The man seemed to ease up then, motioning a hand to two armed men that waited down the hall. "Armed guards at the door, they can stand off at the sides and not be seen---" Bates added with a disdainful tone. "---If that's alright, ma'am." No matter how many times Bates said ma'am, it always sounded to Elizabeth like he was saying something more, explicitly offensive to her instead. She simply nodded.
Bates directed his soldiers as Weir finally entered the debriefing room, finding everyone seated comfortably around the table. They took a moment then to make introductions. The Yu'set boy seemed more then pleased to meet so many interesting and new people. Elizabeth took her seat then, folding her hands together on the table as she brought them all back to business.
"Keffis, can you tell us more about this Aradis machine?"
"Yes, I will tell you all that Mave Ezer and I know about the device." The boy began, clearing his throat and settling in his seat. He directed most of his following comments to Elizabeth, to whom he sat the closest. "Perhaps we should start from the beginning. Once, long ago the Yu'set were in an uneasy allegiance with a race known as the A'vok."
"We have met them. An A'vok by the name of Dran detained us on P2M-744, which we originally thought might have been a deserted planet." Teyla pointed out, recalling the unpleasant incident with a grimace.
Keffis seemed taken back. "I see. Then----then you already know the gravity of the situation." "While our two races once shared a life together, my people soon discovered that the A'voks were heading down a path we could simply not allow ourselves to follow."
"You separated yourselves then?" Weir asked.
"Yes." The boy sighed heavily. "But I believe we did so, far too late." "You see, long before I was born, my people refined themselves to the arts, medicine, and the betterment of ourselves through knowledge and study passed through generations." Keffis then glanced down to the table, troubled. "The A'voks instead prided themselves on technology, greed and tyranny. The A'voks could no longer see us as equals but, enemies."
"We Yu'set believe that life is precious, while the A'vok viewed it as something valueless and expendable. We only found out about how monstrous their ideals were years and years after our separation when a lowly A'vokien inventor stumbled into our village." The boy lifted his brighteyes then to Weir, speaking cautiously. "With him, was the Aradis."
"So, you're saying the A'voks created the device on that planet?" McKay asked suddenly, unsatisfied to say the least in the lad's story. And the fact that thegood old Commander had down right lied to them twice, first about the apparent existence of the Yu'set and secondlythat they knew about the damn machine in the first place turned his stomach. The again, what did Dran know? How could he have predicted they'd be contacted at the city? Dran was simply protecting his ideals, and now he knew the device was there. Even if they had been allowed to go back to the planet, this, Aradis would have probably been long gone; wrenched right out of its resting place in the temple.
Keffis nodded, continuing. "My people had at the time no desire for science and machinery. But the A'vokien man came to us with horrifying stories." "He, being a good and caring man at heart, was enlisted to build a machine that could ultimately transfer one being's consciousness into that of another. He found out later that the A'voks planned to use his new device in order to interrogate their criminals and innocent people to gather information. The A'vokien military completely ignored any idea of a reversal process, simply expelling the consciousness of their own people----into void like waste."
"That's horrible." Elizabeth exclaimed softly, feeling nearly sickened that she had let Dran into the city in the first place, though then again she really had no choice in it---her team was more then literally under the gun of the A'vokien government.
"Mave Ezer says it was a tragic end for the sake of power. The inventor of the Aradis fled his home, destroying all but a few of his machines, fleeing into the wilderness; where he found us." The young Yu'set recalled Ezer's memories, not his own. Ezer himself had heard the story from his father. "We gave him sanctuary and in turn he showed us his device; together we discovered the truly beneficial uses for it."
Rodney raised a brow, glowering. "Yes but you yourself said your people were apposed to technology." That very concept frustrated him to no end. "Though how any suitable self-sustaining civilization could properly improve themselves without the benefits of technology, boggles even my mind."
"Sometimes, I think you like to burn bridges McKay."
"I understand your confusion Doctor. For years our greatest minds had been dying at the twilight of their lives, like all things do. Their life's work went unfinished, great discoveries and studies could not be continued after their researchers were gone. A mentor is only as good as the knowledge and wisdom he or she possesses. So, when one of our Elders nears the end of their life; a person, such as myself is chosen as a body for renewal."
"Like a parasitic host." Rodney added. His right hand, resting on his knee suddenly jerked, digging his very fingers into his own kneecap. McKay cringed silently, tearing his own hand off and clapping it down on the table. McKay looked around, catching the varying expressions from his colleges as he let out an awkward laugh. "Spasm." He excused lamely, inwardly blaming Sheppard.
Keffis looked rather confused turninghis attention back to Weir. "So to speak, the Maves would in turn pass their knowledge onto the next generation. I myself am carrying the great Mave Ezer. We have shared thus far, five wonderful years together and I honor his presence, it is a great privilege to be chosen for such a task."
"The graves…" Ford found himself muttering, as the rows upon rows of stone cut graves found at the ruined temple flashed in his mind. That's why the dates were so wrong.
"Graves?" Keffis asked, gazing to the young lieutenant.
Teyla reiterated then. "Yes, upon visiting the temple on P2M-774, Ford and I discovered several hundred graves marked strangely."
As if the idea finally struck light within the Yu'set's mind, a respectful smile crossed over the boy's face. "Ah, you're referring to the markers----yes they depict the dates of renewal----the death of an elder and the birth of a carried bond with their successor. Many bodies of our greatest minds rest eternally in that temple. Though we were forced to abandon it many years ago."
"Why did you have toleave it?" Ford asked. Remembering just how desolate that temple was, remembered how being in there was kinda depressing.
"The A'vok, in hunting for the inventor and their precious machine stalked us relentlessly, wiping out many of our villages, until there were only a handful of us left alive. We went into hiding, and have continued to live so, ever since." The boy replied, his tone shadowing his inward anger, which was no surprise considering what happened to his people. Keffis closed his eyes, nodding to himself and then reopen them. He seemed calmer, as if Ezer had consoled him."Now the A'vok spread across the galaxy like a sickness, while we cower in the darkness, limited in our own existence."
"Keffis, is it possible for someone to say----mistakenly activate the Aradis?" McKay questioned, wanting to test just how much this, kid, really knew.
"To do so, is a calculated process." The Yu'set responded, reminding himself that he was, partially here to discover just who activated the machine.
"How, calculated are we talking about here?" McKay asked glad to be finally getting to the meat he wanted. Not that the whole story behind the Yu'set and A'vok was uninteresting---just more pressing issues were on his mind at the moment. Like survival.
"Well, upon Ezer's transference, and according to the inventor's instructions, he gave up a offering of his own blood….but the dynamics of the machine are unknown to me, as I've said, my people are not wise in the ways of science. After that, Mave Ezer placed his hands upon themachine and I stood behind him, in wait. After a moment, the ceremony was complete."
"Had to cut your finger, didn't you?" Grumbled John. If he could go back and reconsider McKay's request to stay he would have, in a heartbeat. Then again it was his own curiosity that got them into this mess in the first place. It seemed Rodney plucked the very words from John's thoughts.
"Ah, might I remind you Major, who had the bright of idea of screwing with it afterwards?" Rodney suddenly spoke out of turn, interrupting Keffis. "Pardon me." He muttered, turning his eyes down to the table.
"F-for each of the devices-----" The boy continued, unsure as to what was causing the man's strange behavior. "---the inventor, before left in fear of endangering us any further---had created a sensor that would signal whenever the Aradis was used. Since our people were so far spread in hiding, it helped to keep track when, where, and who was being passed for our records." "He also, showed us how to record the symbols left in what you call the Stargate in order to recall already activated signatures, this way we had documented paths for our safe houses----it was also how we were able to locate yours."
"You can actually use the gate to get call back addresses?" This question Elizabeth aimed towards Rodney who; bit on his bottom lip thinking the matter over.
"Well, with as much as we currently know about the DHD, which isn't much. It's quite possible that the gate could have a memory system." He concluded finally. The concept of essentially recording gate addresses off the consoles was an interesting endeavor. Who knew what sort of places they could get to, probably many addresses not even the Ancients were aware about.
From within the bubbling of thoughts came Sheppard's voice. "Focus."
McKay blinked, realizing that Keffis was in fact, talking again.
"Yes, this system of---addresses—as you call them is stored for a limited time in most of the gates across the universe, even yours might have such a capability." "We simply recorded the last path created and since it was not one of our known A'vokien ad—addresses, it was decided to contact you."
"Which brings me to the point at hand---which one of your people Dr. Weir, activated the Aradis?"
"That would be me and the Major." McKay raised a hand, waving. "He's, how do I put it---indisposed at the moment."
"Eloquently put McKay."
"And he has been passed within you?" Keffis asked awkwardly. He was now beinging to understand perhaps why the man had been acting so strangely through their entire meeting.
McKay narrowed his eyes. "Oh I wouldn't call it passing, I'd say it's more like usurping."
The boy paused as if listening to something in the room before he nodded. "Yes High Mave, I agree-----this is grave news indeed." "The passing has never been preformed on any other race save for the A'vok and my people."
"Which brings up the point, does the Aradis have any sort of, adverse side effects?" Carson spoke up, eager to get a few of his own questions answered.
"Side effects?" Keffis repeated to himself, essentially asking Ezer. "Not to our knowledge."
"What about erratic decomposition. Is that a natural effect of the passin'?" Asked Beckett from across the debriefing table. "Major Sheppard's body is basically rottin' in the infirmary even on life-support----" This got Carson a puzzled look from the boy, he realized he needed explain it simply. "The life support machines are to keep his body running since his---mind isn't workin' inside it anymore. Usually that's all you need keep someone alive----but for some reason, he's decomposin'---and at an alarmin' rate on top of that."
The boy was silent, his eyes focused elsewhere before he talked again. "Mave Ezer understands that every creature in this universe is created differently. I must agree with him that the resemblance between your people and my own is striking; Ezer believes that perhaps we are more different then we know." "This in itself could be the reason for these, side effects as you call them." "But we do not know, why they are happening to Major Sheppard. I am sorry."
"You mentioned before that the A'vok disregarded any idea of a reversal process when using the Aradis, that means there's possibly a way to undo what it's done, correct?" Elizabeth asked, troubled.
"Yes Dr. Weir. There is in fact a way to transfer a consiousness back to its original resting place." "However---" The boy seemed to cloud up, unsure onhow to address the idea.
"However?" Weir urged him gently to continue.
Keffis turned his gaze down to the table, eyeing it worriedly before he spoke. "The Yu'set shun the idea of rejecting the gift of knowledge, the transferal as you call it. Though the option is available, it has not been used for many years. Further more the only man who can possibly do the reversing process left us long ago."
"Well isn't that convenient." Rodney spat. "I should probably just start moving John's stuff into my room."
"Who said we were going to live in your room?"
McKay's eyes went wide then as he turned round in his chair, speaking in a low and reprimanding voice, pointing a finger at empty air. "Listen, I'm the one on the short end of the stick here!" "Just remember who's body your going to be commandeering soon." He turned back then, straightening himself out.
"Do not fret----my people believe, and well----Ezer and I both see that perhaps you are capable of helping both our people and yours as well."
The Yu'set was met with silence. "On one of the A'vokien planets, in the great city of Ha'vall there is a citadel, a prison if you will for the most infamous of beings, not only A'voks are lost to this place might I add." "In fact one of our own, a High Mave has been captured and imprisoned within its walls and we are most bereaved without them."
"Now it comes to it." Keffis grew grave, leaning forward in his chair. "In order, for Dr. McKay and the Major to be separated, we need the inventor of the Aradis."
"But you said he had gone." Teyla said suddenly, recalling the Yu'sets very story.
"Uh, doesn't anyone else wonder how you incarcerate someone who's a few hundred years old?" Rodney uttered quickly, making a good point. But then again the A'vok being a completely alien race, could, in theory have a genetic quality much like the Wraith. Yeah, Dran seemed likea bloodsucking kind of guy. McKay thought distastefully.
"As I have said before, all beings in this life are different. The A'vok are no exception. We don't understand why they are able to live so much longer then us. Mave Ezer believes that had we of continued our coexistence, great things could have come to pass." "fundamentally, we need each other."
"The Yu'set need the A'vok's life span, and the A'voks need the Yu'set's compassion. Kind of ironic." Sheppard said sadly.
"The inventor still lives, but he has been imprisoned by his own people. And in three days time he will be executed at the citadel. There is a spy amongst the A'vok, in allegiance with us who would be able to get one or two of your men into the compound, where you would retrieve not only our High Mave, but also Gertz----the A'vokien inventor."
"And in turn you'll perform the transfer?" Weir was putting the pieces together now. And equal exchange of assistance for assistance. Even if they refused to say, save the inventor----he was needed anyway to save McKay and Sheppard. She would have to consider all of this very carefully. And only two men at most to go, who would be the best choices?
"Of course." Keffis said, satisfied.
Rodney looked around the table to each person there, not believing that they had all just accepted that plan, one which he felt was convoluted at best. He could hold his tongue no longer. "So let me get this straight-----and, correct me if I'm wrong here." Keffis met the physicist's glare with a look of innocent interest. " You want us to infiltrate the A'vokien central city and rescue not only your high chancellor but also the guy who built the machine for the same people putting him to death in three days time not to mention the more then blearing fact that I have maybe a week or two till John high-jacks my body and his turns into compost?" Clamping his mouth shut, McKay took in a heaping breath, ready to lock horns again.
The lad simply agreed. "Yes Dr. McKay, you are correct on all points."
"No offence but that's completely asinine." McKay shot back bitterly.
"Rodney" Weir warned. She herself found the plan farfetched but it was the only plan anyone had given her in some time. And since it was a means to an end for this doomed situation, she wouldn't put it out right away. If it were possible to complete this mission, with all parties intact; then it was worth trying or at least fleshing out.
McKay though, felt quite differently. "No seriously. How do you expect us to just waltz in there and get them?" "I can just see the look on Dran's face right now." "Oh, hi Commander, you remember me right? The man with two brains-----yeah could we just snag two high crime prisoners from ya? Thanks."
"He's right." John spoke up suddenly, though loudly enough that it didn't seem he was responding to McKay, but to maybe Elizabeth instead.
"Who's right?" McKay asked Sheppard, catching odd glances from his teammates. Elizabeth quieted down, figuring that at the moment, the Major must have been saying something to Rodney.
John continued sounding more or less concerned. "You are."
The physicist blinked, uttering. "I am?"
In the mean time, Teyla sent a confused look to Ford, who just shrugged. "I guess they're having their own little coo in there."
"Yeah I'm pretty shocked by it myself." Sheppard replied dryly. "The point is, there's not enough time to plan out a proper rescue mission. And I know I've more then a few times flown out of here gun-ho to help someone, but the situation's a little different. I'm not alone anymore."
"I don't know whether to feel touched or insulted Major." McKay frowned, looking back to Weir. "He said we need more time to plan, time which we don't have of course----or should I say he and I don't have."
"I know the task, seems perilous." Keffis said encouragingly, fearing that perhaps he was losing his plight. "But Ezer and I believe the compensation for both parties is well worth the risk."
"Ask him why haven't any of his people tried to rescue them---and for Christ sakes do it nicely."
Rodney paced himself, sighing. "The Major wants to know, why haven't any of your people tried to rescue your missing diplomat-------you see I did that nice!" McKay snapped to his side trailing off with a grumble.
"Remind me, to make you, put a gold star sticker on your chart for today. Your three away from extra time in the reading circle McKay, I'm proud of you."
McKay clenched a fist with the only hand he did have absolute control over under the table, Keffis unware of the man's inner turmoil continued to answer Sheppard's question.
"The A'vok know our people well, we have no way to adapt…blend in. We would be spotted most easily. It was risk enough to enter the planet and receive the path signatures for your Stargate. If it is any consolation----Dr. McKay, Ezer deeply apologizes for your present situation. When he was just a boy, that village now ravaged by jungle was attacked and destroyed; the temple left behind and with it----its secrets. It is a miracle in itself the A'vok have not discovered the Aradis before this." "And keep in mind, the Yu'set will do everything in our power to aid you."
"Keffis, if we might, get a days time to decide. If that's alright for your people?" Elizabeth asked, finding the request more then appropriate. This was no type of mission to make any rash decisions on. "There's a lot of things to take into consideration."
"Take all the time you need Dr. Weir, but remember, time is of the essence."
"No kidding." Muttered the physicist, nearly missing a threatening look from Weir in his own sulking.
"Don't worry, we'll----figure something out." Sheppard spoke up, trying to sound helpful. "If not, I just-----just might consider letting you keep your room."
"Don't think you could swing and consider letting me keep my body instead?" Rodney said crossly to an empty seat across the table, quickly gathering his things and excusing himself from the debriefing room. Granted the information they got wasn't exactly the type of thing he wanted---well in truth it wasn't at all what he expected. But that, seemed to be the way things worked, nothing flowed easy; there were no quick finishes to----anything. He was more then positive John would want to go on this suicide mission, which meant he had to go too. McKay thought then that perhaps, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Maybe the lower percentage of return the better, then at least he could die with whatever little control he had left over his body. Die while he was still, him.
Back in the debriefing room, seeing as how the brunt of the discussion was over, Beckett had a request of his own for the Yu'set. "Keffis, I was wonderin'-----if I could borrow you for a wee bit, run a few rudimentary medical tests. It's standard procedure whenever we'er lucky enough to have folks visit us."
"Medical tests?" Keffis asked hesitantly.
Laughing, the Doctor tried to put his mind at ease. "Oh, don't worry, it's nothin' painful… cross my heart. I'll go over everythin' with you, might help answer some questions I have about you and the ah---Aradis."
The boy was silent for a moment, glancing off to the side of himself---nodding at what seemed some sort of dialog going on within him. He then turned his attentions back to Carson. "Mmm, yes----Mave Ezer sees nothing wrong with it so we will. I'm eager to be of help to your people. And might I say Dr. Weir---Ezer thinks your city is more beautiful then the great cities of his youth. A true marvel. He is grateful to have been able to see it in his life time, as am I."
"Why, thank you Keffis, and----Ezer." Weir smiled, pushing back in her seat, standing. "Perhaps later onI can give you a tour of Atlantis." "And if you like, if andwhen all this is over, we could keep a running line of contact with each other."
"That, would be most agreeable." The boy replied, feeling that for his first negotiation, it went rather well indeed."
Later that day, Keffis found himself within the infirmary as Beckett called it. He was asked to stay near a bed looking contraption in the large room, as Carson went off to gather what he called, 'necessities'. The Yu'set found himself drawn to a beeping sound coming from somewhere else in the room, he looked about to find a bed, drapped in a strange material far off towards the back of the infirmary. Curiousity getting the better of the young boy, he made his way over, gazing within the hazy covering to see a person, most of his skin wrapped in thin white strips of cloth.
Beckett came back to the main section of the infirmary, metal tray in hand. "Alright Keffis, I just need ya to hold----" "Keffis?" Not seeing the boy where he left him, Carson grew a touch panicked, looking about.
"I am here Dr. Beckett." Keffis called from thecovered bedside, waving a hand to the doctor. Carson placed the tray down on a clean cot and walked over to the Yu'set's side. The lad was currently gazing at John's body.
"Major Sheppard I presume?" He asked finally.
"Yes, he's seen better days I assure you----it's heartbreaken' to watch really." Beckett replied sadly.
Shaking his head, Keffis looked to him, such concern was in his eyes that Carson was at first, taken back. "I have never seen the Aradis effect someone so, If you told me it did this, I would not have believed you---but to see it with my own eyes---our own eyes. I am truly sorry."
Giving the boy a reassuring smile, Beckett laid a hand on his shoulder leading him back to the center of the room. "Oh it's not your fault son---eh sorry, Keffis. It was an accident. They happen even to the best of us." "Now, hows about you come with me and we'll get started?"
Sitting upon the cot, Keffis was made topush up his drapingsleeve and surrender his arm to Beckett. "Alright now---What I'm gonna do is use this." Carson held up a syringe. "And take some of your blood for testin'."
The Yu'set nodded, unsure why anyone would need something so precious as one's lifes-blood. "Will I feel pain?"
Carson chuckled. "Oh no, well maybe a wee pinch. But I have to say you're a much braver lad then I was when I was your age. To let some strange man take a poke at ya." Holding Keffis's arm gently, Beckett tied a tunicate round his bicep and prepared a vein. He paused then. "That cameout, completely wrong." But the Yu'set took no offence to anything, for he didn't understand the implication. Beckett let out an uneasy laugh and continued with his work.
"Aye, there now. That wasn't so bad now was it?"
"Goodness." The Yu'set remarked, watching as Carson pulled a small rubber capped tube off the metal tray and connected it to the needle still in the boy's arm. Keffis watched as the blood spirted forth into the tube, making him gasp softly.
"Don't worry, I'm not out for all of it." Beckett reassured him, filling the tube near half way before capping it, marking it, and reaching for another one. In the mean time he meant to keep the boy comfortable, and now was a good time as any to learn a bit more about him.
"So, Keffis, why don't you tell me a little about yourself."
"Myself?" Keffis drew his eyes away from his arm, trying not to think of what was happening. "Well, there is not much interest in myself, but I can tell you much of my people and----" And he paused, seeming to be listening to something. "I apologize, Ezer has reminded me not to be rude, I should answer your question first to the best of my knowledge."
Beckett asked, carefully pulling a third and final tube from Keffis, as he slipped the needle out with painstaking patience. He prided himself on a painless process, unless he was working with McKay; then consideration went out the window. "Ezer---he's inside your head like Johns' in Rodney's, right?"
"You are correct." The boy replied, watching as Carson opened a paper wrapped pouch and produced what looked to him like a small square of cloth, this the doctor pressed to the red spot, beading with blood now on Keffis's arm.
Carson picked up the boys hand and placed two of his fingers on the cloth. "Hold that there and raise your arm in the air alright?"
Doing as instructed, Keffis held his arm up, wondering to what purpose it served.
Beckett pulled off his gloves and tossed them out, clicking a pen as he picked up a clipboard from off a nearby table. "And you're alright with that?" He asked halfly to the paper he was jotting notes on, until he turned his gaze back to the boy. " I mean---this was somethin' you chose?"
"Chose, no---chosen for, yes. When we are born, the Council of Maves decided who is worthy to receive and who is not." Keffis replied, tempted to ask if he could lower his arm now. "It's a great honor to be chosen, I regret nothing."
"You certainly are a very bright and mature young man. In fact I know a few physicists that could learn a lesson or two from you." Beckett chuckled to himself, placing both pen and board down. "Ok Keffis, now I'm gonna shine this light in your eyes and record the effect alright?"
"All right." "It is kind of you to say that Dr. Beckett." The boy watched as Carson clicked on a small tipped light and went for his eyes. Keffis squinted, flinching slightly as the doctor moved the light back and forth, nodding to himself.
"Please, call me Carson." He muttered with a wink, clicking off the light and rolling backwards, writing his findings down. "If you don't mind me askin', why were you chosen?" He then proceeded to pull Keffis's arm down, bandaging it.
"I exceeded in qualities Mave Azer found fitting beyond any other child in my birth group, the generation of children born at the same time as myself…and so, he chose me to perform the Aradis." "Now he is with me always."
Looking back up at Keffis, Carson motioned to his chest. "I'm gonna take a listen to your heart and lungs but I'll need you to remove your shirt, if that's alright?"
Keffis followed suit, Beckett stopping him from taking off anymore then he should have. The Yu'set sat there, bare-chested and chilled as Carson went about his work, comming at him with a stephoscope.
"Breath in." He asked softly, listening. "Again-----alright one more real deep." "Good."
"Doesn't that ever get, you know---strange? I mean, no offence to you, but I couldn't imagin' runnin' around with someone else sloshin' around in my brain-pan." Beckett asked, pulling the stethoscope from his ears.
"He does not mind, Ezer finds your ideas on us very refreshing. I will be honest, at first it was very strange having him with me, constantly----but the days passed like any other, and now I could not imagine walking a day without him---Mave Ezer has become like a father to me."
"Well I'm sure carrying a great leader round in yer head makes you a catch with the lasses." Carson mused to himself.
Keffis blinked, confused by the word as he pulled his robes back up when Beckett motioned him to. "lasses?"
Beckett laughed, forgetting himself for a moment. Even when he was talking just to other folks around the city, sometimes his terminology escaped them. "Sorry, girls, women---I'm sure they're lining up for a clever boy like you." He went about writing again.
"Oh no, there are no, lasses as you call them. As a carrier, it is not in my place to wed and propagate."
Stopping mid sentence, Carson looked up. "Wait, you mean you're not allowed to be with anyone?"
Keffis agreed like it were something simple and normal. "Yes, such a relationship would be strange for both me and Ezer, besides it is not my people's custom. Those who are chosen to receive the passing must remain celibate."
"You're not allowed to----to love? Keffis, that's just cruel-----"
Laughing lightly, the boy blushed. "I do not mind Carson, really. I've accepted my fate willingly. Our population will flourish long after I'm gone, and that is reason enough to make the sacrifice." He spoke so poignantly, not like any teenage boy Beckett had ever know. The Yu'set were truly a strange race.
"Well, Keffis…I won't berate your beliefs, I just find them rather unfair." Carson continued, placing the pen back down and rolling up to the boy. "Haven't you ever felt the need to----I mean you're so young." He didn't mean to get themselves on such an awkward subject, but it troubled the doctor to hear something like this, and he just didn't understand the reasoning of it. Were these chosen children like priests?
"Need to be with a female? Well, I would be lying to say I have not thought about it. But I suppose that is the trade. Ultimate wisdom and promise, as compared to the passing of my linage, I will die my parents only son." Keffis confided in him, looking down at his hands. He never really did think there was a problem with this life, not until it was questioned by an outsider.
"And I suppose whoever you get passed to will be tied to the same fate aye? Shame." Carson clucked his tongue, sitting back in his chair as he folded his arms about his chest. What a life.
Glancing up, the Yu'set shook his head. "Oh no, I will never use the Aradis again. Only Maves receive passing, and----well I have no chance to become one."
"What do you mean no chance?"
"When it is my time to die, that will be my end." Keffis replied simply.
Now that was it! Beckett sat up, exclaiming. "But that's not----Keffis, with all you've been made to give up, and not receive the same immortalization is---"
"----Is a once in a lifetime opportunity Carson." The boy softly interrupted him. "To carry with me knowledge men and women of my village dream of having and die without ever knowing. I'm enriched, Ezer has been more a father to me then my own, and I would not trade that for any other life. I know that might be hard for you to accept, but it is all I know." He finished, hoping the man would understand.
Beckett was dumbfounded and at a complete loss for words. He looked to the young lad, trying to comprehend the life he was living, the life we was essentially forced to live. But who was he to judge what one man could believe in over another? It wasn't his place. Sobering, Beckett just nodded, giving Keffis a half-hearted smile as he returned to his notes, trying to hide his disquiet; trying not to upset the boy. It wasn't his fault anyway---Keffis even seemed to like his life, and that; Carson would just have to accept.
To Be Continued….
A'vok A-vock
Yu'set You-set
Aradis Air-a-diss
Keffis K-hef-iss
Ezer Ay-zear
Mave May-v
