Part 1 - Fires of Revolution

Chapter 26 - Return to the Resistance

Three days passed. Miles spent most of that time sleeping or at Gwen's side. She had woken up the day after the operation, but was exhausted and only stayed awake for a few minutes at a time. The chief medic told Miles this was to be expected, so he decided it was hardly worth the worry. Gwen woke up on the third day, but before that, Miles had some time to think whilst sitting with her. Zalar had said that the Plates which broke into pieces, such as Gwen's, were failed attempts to gain their full power. If that was the case, how would one release the full power? The High Aether had said that Conall had received his power when the Plate merged with him, after he had been in contact with it for a long time. Was that releasing the full power? In that case, Conall should have died. Suddenly, Gwen groaned. Miles pushed his chain of thought to the back of his mind. Her eyes fluttered open, but she closed them again and covered them with her hand.

"It's so bright in here." She said.

"I'll try and find a light switch."

Miles hunted around the walls until he found a nob, which he turned, hoping it was for the light not some sort of switch for a self destruct system. The lights dimmed as he had hoped. He returned to Gwen's side. She opened her eyes properly this time.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"I mean, the side of my head hurts, sort of like a stinging pain you get from a paper cut rather than headache pain. But other than that, pretty good. Did you miss me?"

"Not really. I spent most of my time sitting here."

Gwen laughed. She sat up and pulled Miles into a hug.

A few hours later, the spiders were in their room in the palace.

"I have a feeling now might be as good time as any to return to the resistance." Said Gwen.

She was standing in front of a mirror, looking at the scar the implant had left.

"We've certainly achieved something, we've had some time off. I think you're right."

She sat down next to Miles and lay her head on his shoulder.

"I hate this war as much as any sane person does, but I have a sense of duty to the resistance because I have the Plate."

"Yeah...the Plate..."

Miles' thoughts had strayed back to the conflict of facts between Zalar and the High Aether. Gwen raised her head and looked at him, confused about the uncertainty in his voice.

"Is something wrong?

"No. No, everything's fine. I was just lost in thought."

"It's not like you to be lost in thought."

"I do think about some things. If it wasn't for me, you'd still have that implant."

"I know, you're just usually quite down to Earth."

"Or down to Ardveer in this case."

Gwen laughed again.

"Come on. The war won't fight itself."

A few minutes later, the pair were standing in one of the many transfer rooms aboard the resistance headquarters. A small security squad had surrounded the exit to the pad, since an alarm had started blaring indicating a temporal warp inside the station. A few moments later, Edward appeared through the door. His face spread into a grin and a snigger escaped.

"Really, security? I thought you would have recognised these two of all people."

The leader of the security team saluted.

"Shall we leave, sir?"

"You must have a job you could be doing elsewhere. Mind you, if it's scanning cargo shipments I can't blame you for finding an excuse to slack off."

"Yes sir. We'll return to standard duties."

The security team marched briskly out of the room, saluting Edward as they passed him. Edward looked up at the two spiders.

"Welcome back. How was the Christmas holiday?" He asked, still wearing the grin.

"Hardly much of a holiday. I slept for most of it." Replied Gwen, turning her head slightly so that Edward could see her new scar.

His expression changed to one of confusion.

"How did you..." He began to ask, clearly his head filled with questions.

"Let's just say the Quintari were quite accommodating."

"Ah, the Quintari did it. That makes sense. Nothing really happened here. We heard of a couple of Borg attacks, but nothing much else."

"Maybe we should just go back on holiday?" Suggested Miles.

The admiral smiled again, but shook his head.

"You both deserve it, but the High Council has decided it's time to go on the offensive. The first meeting will probably be tomorrow. Until then, you're still on holiday."

He turned to leave.

"Edward, wait a sec." Miles said quickly.

He turned to Gwen.

"You go on ahead. I need to speak to Edward alone."

Gwen gave him a questioning look, but nodded and left for their quarters. Edward turned to the person behind the transfer desk.

"Clear the room."

"Aye sir."

The operative left as well. Edward turned back to Miles.

"Is everything OK?"

"I'm concerned about Gwen and the Plate."

"I think everyone is. Conall has a personal thing against her."

"No, I'm concerned about what the Plate may be doing to her."

"What do you mean?"

"People keep saying they do bad things to people who wield them."

"What sort of bad things?"

"I've had everything between turning them into another Conall to straight-up killing them. There's a way for her to gain the Plate's full power but it would turn her into Conall. I scared she'll find out about it and try to use it to defeat Conall, only to destroy herself."

"She's strong, Miles. You of all people should know that."

"Having nearly infinite power destroys even the best of us. I want to speak to the High Aether again. Can you set it up?"

"I'll see what I can do. His majesty seems to worry about you and her so I'm sure he'll be willing."

"Thank you, Edward."

"No problem. It's what friends are for. Is there anything else?"

"No. That's it."

Edward managed to arrange a meeting for Miles in the dead of night. He woke himself up and looked over at Gwen to make sure she was asleep. She was, so he threw a jumper on and made his way to the room where he had seen the High Aether before. That was where Edward had told him the meeting would be. He tapped the panel next to the door.

"Come in."

Miles entered. The High Aether was sitting exactly where he had been the last time. Miles gave a bow. The Aether shook his head and indicated for him to sit.

"What is it you wish to speak to me about?" He asked.

"It's about Gwen, and the Ethereal Plates. I'm sure you know I was on Ardveer with her."

"I am aware, yes. It was me who ordered that you stay in the palace."

Miles explained what Zalar had told him about the absolute power of the Plates and the temptation they provided. The Aether nodded every now and again, leaning on his wooden staff. When Miles was finished, he sat back.

"Zalar's view of reality is limited. I told you that Conall received the absolute power of the Plate by merging with it for a reason. I wanted Gwen to know there was a way of gaining more power, but it came with a price, in a way she could understand. I agree with Zalar on his prediction: if Gwen does not pull through to the very end, this fight is lost."

"But wouldn't she be more likely to pull through if she had the Plate's full power?"

"This is not pulling through as in surviving. This is pulling through by resisting temptation."

There was silence. The High Aether turned to Miles. Miles' face spoke many emotions, mainly confusion.

"Let me break this down from the top for you, Miles. The ten Plates each contain the soul of one of the Quintari who devoted their lives to keeping the streams intact. Their power must be contained within the Ethereal Plates in order for it to be handled safely. If a wielder finds a way to merge with the Plate in such a way that it allows them to wield their true power, then it is both a blessing and a curse. For example: Gwen. If she finds a way to use the full power of the Plate of Infinity, it will slowly destroy everything she stands for in one way or another, possibly using her own mind and morals against her. That power is nothing but a temptation, a temptation which leads to the creation of people such as Conall. Through trying to protect everyone, she will hurt so many others. She must not be allowed to find out about the absolute power, or she will try to take the risk and fail."

"That clears it up a little bit, but not much."

"You will come to understand. For now, your mission is simple. Keep her from discovering the absolute power. Another way must be found to defeat Conall. I believe there is still good in him somewhere."

Miles took a deep breath and stared out at the fleet of ships.

"I give you my word I won't let that happen. I swear on our love for each other."

The High Aether gave a small grunt.

"I said this to you before: love is both constructive and destructive. I hope it will destroy neither of you. Is there anything else you wish to say or ask?"

"I think that's it."

"Then go. Keep her safe."

"Thank you."

The following morning, Miles and Gwen were summoned to a meeting with the High Council. There was a scarily high number of empty seats. Clearly the battle at headquarters had taken its toll. They sat down a couple of seats away from Edward and the High Aether. Edward stood up.

"As you can tell the numbers are a little slim which means we have to be careful what we do."

"We have to take the fight to Conall. If we delay much longer he will gather more forces and attack again." Replied Thanos.

"How can we take the fight to him?"

"You are forgetting the Quintari. Their fleet massacred the Borg with a single shot."

The High Aether shook his head.

"We are happy to do so once, in the world between worlds because there is so little there. But firing an antimatter cluster in a dimension would destroy everything."

"Then what would your majesty do?" Asked Thanos.

"Launch an offensive, as suggested. But make it primarily a ground offensive. We can take Conall's home from him. He attacked our base, we return the favour."

"You believe Conall will simply fall like that?"

"It could be the end of the war sooner if we take him head on." Agreed Edward.

"Revenge will only get us so far. We will have to make our own plans after this." Said the Doctor.

"We can come to that when we get to it. For now, we plan our assault on dimension 01. I say we send in the two spider kids along with a large number of troops. We will crush anything Conall has. The Quintari have..." Began Thanos.

"The Quintari have proven themselves capable in combat, but using the power they have is not a decision made lightly. Every time they do so, they shorten their lives by a number of years." Finished the High Aether.

"Is that fair to throw the humans in with no say?" Asked Edward.

"It is our only option if the Quintari will not fight."

"I will ask my people, but many will refuse. SGC is supposed to represent exploration and discovery: peace. The closest thing we have to a designated army is our security teams. Some will fight, but not many."

"The kids will be there to cover their cowardice."

"Hey! Don't me and Gwen get a say?" Asked Miles.

"Are you opposing the decision?" Asked Thanos.

"No."

"Then no, you don't."

"When do we attack?" Asked Edward for confirmation.

"In one hour. The sooner the better. Less time for Conall to prepare." Replied Thanos.

The High Aether watched Miles and Gwen curiously for a reaction but saw none. It was truly remarkable that these two simply accepted a mission, no matter how dangerous. He assumed Miles was only asking for him and Gwen to be looked at the same as the rest of the people in the room when he had delivered his outburst.

"In that case this council is adjourned unless someone has any other business except their ship having a hole or twenty in it?" Concluded Edward, getting to his feet.

The few people left. Miles and Gwen returned to their quarters to get ready. It was likely to be a suicide mission, but the resistance was running out of options and Conall would take any chance he could get to break them.

Crossovers in this Chapter

- Avengers
- Doctor Who