Chapter III: Revelation
It's been a week since Eli made it back with Samara on the Destiny. The possibility for the crew to have a normal life off Destiny is in every minds. Most of people want that. Still, Young haven't decided yet. Rush is pissed. He don't want to leave Destiny. He believes in Destiny's mission more than anyone on board.
It's morning. On the table, Eli, Samara, Clohe and Scott are taking their breakfast. Clohe is fascinated by the alchemy between Eli and Samara. It's like they were made for each other. Eli has changed. Being skinnier fits him greatly. No wonder why Samara loves him. Smart nice and cute. Irresistible combo.
-So! You told us how you got the drones dark. Tell us about your life. Three years, many things must have happened!
-Ah Clohe. Always curious huh. Sure, I'll tell you. Where to begin. Okay. Soon after we got off Destiny, we settled in. We built a new camp with the others. Of course the drones came by to investigate. But we fooled them. I managed to go on another planet. I was able to program an auto dial of the gate. It's purpose was to dial out to another planet. I recalled a gate address at the other edge of the galaxy. I came back at the camps. The drones showed again. And I guess they detected the other vortex because they left quite quickly. That must have worked because drones didn't came back after that. We didn't knew at that moment if this situation would last. We couldn't use the gate. I'm not handy for building home matters. Samara laughs. That's were Samara was of great help. We eventually got closer. Before my place was done building we were...you know, more than friends. Eli turns to Samara and smiles at ther. So we moved in together. After that, all I can remember is crops crops and more crops. I was happy at the time. But I always had a thought for you guys. With Samara, we liked to watch the stars at night.
-Yes. I was looking up thinking about our people in the great ships. You were thinking about Destiny's crew and Earth. Each one of us had his own loved ones.
-Exactly. We were hoping for the best. Life was nice but not paradise. We had to get our food by ourselves. It was hard. I was teaching. I thought that it was the best way to ensure perenity for our way of living. Knowledge is the key. That brings us to The idea.
-You mean, kill all drones? Asked Scott.
-Yes. And believe me the idea isn't mine.
-Was it you Samara? Turned Clohe.
-No it wasn't me. But I could have hun'
-No doubt! Here's how it went. I was teachning a group of kids. 8 to 11 years old. Suprisingly, the youngest one had it. I was lecturing about biology. We were talking about reproduction. And trust me I wasn't confortable with that. Anyway. I was talking about what a father and a mother do and one of the kids, his name is Brennen. Brennen came up with a brilliant idea. He asked "couldn't we infect all of them at once pal?" and I said, yes, I guess we can. The idea was so overwhelming that it was hard to think about something else till the end of the lecture. One finished, I had time to think of a plan.
-Oh yeah. Tell us how you did that Eli. Scott was impatient to know more.
-I thought I could upload a new virus to the drones. One that could go to the mothership and spread!
-But, you had no drones around!
-Indeed Scott. That's the dangerous part. I had to dial out to the planet we went together. You and greer saved us there. I remembered there was some dead drones. I had to retrieve my kino diversion first to tick them again. I had to be sure because I guess the trick wouldn't work many times. Samara and two others insited to asist me to retrieve dead drones. Suprisingly we made it. No drone showed up. I guess we were fast enough to leave the place before they reached us. We came back. After a week I had the virus ready. With samara, we were watching at the stars as usual. She asked me:
-Do you think the drones killed our people Eli?
-Exactly Samara! What a brain you have!
-Hahaha.
-That's when I realised I could perhaps do something for them. I decided not to upload the killer virus. My plan has changed. I wanted to make them harmless for good. Then, find Samara's people ships. We know that drones use hyperdrive and perhaps, it could be used for Samara's people. I rewrote the virus so it establishes contact through subspace with the ships. Then the mothership would disable itself, allowing the crews to salvage the hyperdrive engines. The virus was also a mean to bring power sources to our camps. I designed the virus so that hundreds of drones drop in and disable themselves. We could then extract their power sources and subspace communications antennas and parts. For the remaining drones, the virus ordred them to crash on nearby stars. The rest, you know.
-My gosh Eli. I'm speachless said Clohe.
-Yea, me too Eli. You've done a hell of a good job Scott said.
-Thank you guys, really.
-No, thank you Eli. For everything man.
-Hahaha, if greer was here, he'd say I manned up more than he'd expect. Hahahaha.
Scott Radio comes up:
-"Scott, this is young do you copy.
-Yes Sir.
-Is Eli and Samara are with you?
-Yes Sir, they are here both.
-Could you please ask them to meet me on the bridge? I've got news for them.
-Tell the Colonel we are on our way.
-Okay. Sir, they are coming.
-Thank you Scott. Young out.
-Well guys, we are expected by the colonel. If you ecuse us.
-Sure, don't make him wait!"
Eli and Samara arrives on the bridge. Rush, and all the science guys are here. The Colonel speaks:
-Great to see you Eli, Samara.
-Great to see you too Colonel.
-I bring you here because we've been able to contact the Golora and the Falkrys through subspace. They want to talk to you Eli.
-Okay, sure.
-Eli speaking?
-Good day Eli. It's Amiral Demsey. We call you because we want to thank you. We arrived at destination and wished to thank you personally. Of course we'd appreciate if we could see you in person but I'm aware of your condition.
-Oh Admiral. Thank you.
-Now, I asked Colonel Young if Destinys crew wish to join us on our new planet. I anderstand he cannot make a decision right now but we would be honored to have you and Samara with us.
-Oh. Well, I'd be honored too. But it's not possible at the moment. I'm barely reconnecting with everyone on board. I need more time. Eli turns towards to the Colonel. Plus, I haven't got the permission to dial out yet.
-I'm sure it won't be long before Colonel Young let you proceed. Anyway. We keep in touch.
-Sure Adminral.
-Goodbye Eli.
The transmission over, Eli turns toward Rush.
-Have you checked my calcutations yet?
-As a matter of fact I did. I must say, your idea isn't knew. But it's remarquable. I ran a search into the ships database and I found a red dwarf that provide the best chances for this to work safely. It's at its minimum solar cycle and therefore shouldn't be the theater of any solar flare or CME.
-Great Rush. Thank you.
-Don't thank me too fast. The ship predicts that the minimum cycle is ending. We've got four, maye five days before the activity builds up again.
-No problem then.
-I'm afraid time plays against us as now we are 3 days of FTL away form the dwarf. We must act quick if we don't want to put you in danger.
-Colonel?
-I talked with Camila. Others can join you too. We don't see any problem even if it goes against our new strategy. But Eli. Have you thought about this? I mean, getting off Destiny means you'll never come back to earth. One day Destiny will be out of range. We also need you Eli. You are a key element of this crew. Or survival already depended on you. Please stay with us.
-The only thing that could make me stay here is indeed the possibility of going home, on earth and see my mom. But since the stones are not working anymore, perhaps earth has been destroyed. As I see this, the best thing to do is abandon the ship and take our chance with the people form Novus.
-If that's what you want. Brody, ask Clohe to plot a course to this dwarf.
-Right away Sir.
-Thank you. Young turns to Eli and Samara. Meanwhile, I suggest you double check your calculations. I wouldn't want any incident happen there.
-Sure. Samara, you can go if you want.
-Alright. I'll have a chat with Tamara. See you later hun'. Eli blushes. He is still shy about his relationship with Samara.
Samara arrives at the infirmery. T.J. Is there. They tchat. Samara tell her about Eli. That he is a great man. He also is great with kids. But, she have something difficult to ask. T.J. Feels it and ask:
-what is it that's bothering you Samara.
-Oh, nothing.
-Common, you can tell me. I'm a doctor. This conversation will remain strictly private if you want.
-Well, it's difficult. Eli, well, the other Eli had children 2000 years ago. He's been a wonderful father. We've been trying to have one but, it doesn't work. I think I have a problem Tam.
-Ah, I see. Well, I can run some tests if you want. I dunno if I have the equipment here but since you know more about ancient thant I do. Perhaps we can find a way to know with your help.
-Sure. Let's start then.
Eli triple checked his calculations. Rush too. It's okay. They can gate safely. Camila made up a list. Apparently, most of civilians want to go on Novus II. The ones that feel useless want to go off Destiny. Camila wants to stay. She represents the civilian authority and, she still hopes the best for Earth. She refuses to believe that Earth is no more. That just can't be. All the military is with Young. Young haven't decided yet. This might be the last opportunity for the crew to live a decent life. On a world with a blue sky. Not walled inside a million years old dying ship. Eli thinks about the past. It's time for a new beginning. Imagine what this galaxy could be in a thousand years. Human civilization scattered across an entire galaxy, united and happy. A new home, a new Earth, a new family.
The F.T.L. Jump to the dwarf is almost ended. One day left. T.J. Finished her tests on Samara. Samara is wanting. She fears what she already know. She can't be pregnant.
-Samara. I've just finished. I went through the result twice.
-It's okay Tam'. I know. I can't be pregnant.
-Actually no, you can!
-What? Really?
-Yes. I'm sure. I ran the test twice to be sure.
-But, it's impossible. We know Eli can have kids. Why else couldn't I get pregnant.
-I checked it. Your blodd signs are compatible. You ovicytes are normals. Yet I found a substance in your blood that could result in you condition. A contraceptive.
-I don't use some. We don't have means to engineer some at ou camp.
-Yet I found traces of estrogen in your blood stream. The only plausible explanation is that you ate some. Perhaps this molecule is naturally produced by a plant of an animal at your camps. But I can't say without testing sample which we do not have. But, if you don't take new estrogen, you should be able to procreate in couple months.
-Oh my god. I dunno what to say. Thank you Tamara. Thank you very much!
-You're welcome Samara.
In the dining room, T.J., Samara and Clohe are gathered. They are having a meal while their men are getting some job done. They are talking about babies. Clohe always wanted to be a mother. But let's say that having a baby aboard Destiny is out of question. They naturally all agree. Yet, Tamara feels the blues. She was pregnant. Everett would certainly had turned Destiny around if he knew his child would be safe on a planet, even not on earth. What a waste. She starts crying. Girls around try to cheer her up. But talking about babies. It's too hard. It's not fair. She cannot stand it. Clohe says:
-Tamara, it's okay. It's normal to be sad. I surely would be too. But, now that Novus ships have arrived, you'll be able to find a cure to your decease clohe cheered. Then you'll have plenty of time to raise your own child. It's just a matter of time.
-But I can't, not if I stay on this bloody ship. I cannot leave the crew without a medic. They need me.
-I'm sure we can find great doctors on Novus II that are willing to volunteer for this mission. They should be able to dial Destiny in little time. They need to prioritize. Couples months Tam, just couple months. After that you are free to leave Destiny.
-But, Everett...
-There are other good guys out there. Common, drink some tea. You'll feel better."
On the speakers, Colonel Young Annonces:
-Attention all crew. Please gather me on the Gatebridge. I need to talk to everyone onboard.
Once everyone is gathered, Young walks around hands joined:
-"You all know that we will arrive soon to the dwaarf. There we will be able to dial out to Novus II. I asked each one of you to carefully think about our mission here. Our mission is to come back home, on Earth. Unfortunately, I don't know if we will one day be able to do so. There are no Icarus type planets into our database. Earth can't be reached using the stones. For all we know we are alone. That's why, with Camila, I decided that everyone onboard will travel to Novus II. They offer us a chance of a normal life and I intend to take it. We've been aboard Destiny for 5 years now. We've done all we could. We're all exhausted. We deserve this. A new beginning. I know it will be hard. Some of you have children on Earth, lovers, families. So if you want to stay on Destiny I will allow it. I talked to Novus II governement. They're willing to help us. Some people want to join Destiny's mission. It's sacred among their beliefs. But they won't have the means to help soon. They need 2 months to build a power source big enough to provide Destiny with supplies. Everyone will walk though the Gate tomorrow. Once Novus scientists are done building the appropriate power generator, those who desire it will be granted permision to come back on Destiny. Please have your personnal effect ready. We all leave tomorrow. That would be all."
The story isn't ended at all. I wrote this chapter in couple hours today. More will be coming soon. (One chapter per week). Please, forgive my english. I'm french so I miss a bit of vocabulary. Tips would be appreciated ;)
Reviews would be appreciated too. Many thanks for reading this!