A/N1: In this chapter, there will be some surprises. The name of the chapter is in Latin to keep the interest (actually, my lack of ideas – writer's block. What can you do?), but also because of the sequence of events (as Caetus means meeting or events, which actually both apply). Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The characters of Farscape belong to Jim Henson Productions.
Chapter 9
Caetus
Previously:
Through a rift in space bathed in starlight appeared a ship twice the size of the Achilles with tentacles tails joined at the end of the vessel. All readings suggested that the ship had bio components just like a hive ship though the sensors did not pick up any weapons. The ship itself looked more like a goliath, a leviathan – a beast that has just jumped off the oldest legends and myths.
And now on SG-Dread Knights…
The Leviathan whose name was Moya moved into orbit of the bluish planet. On the bridge as honorary captain stood Rygel the Sixteenth of the Hynerian Empire, and beside him was Chiana. They have arrived at this place after they had lost contact with the Commander who had gone on a reconnaissance mission hoping to locate his wife.
They were forced to initiate star burst as a Scarran Decimator had approached fast with the clear intent of destruction in their mind. For the last ten years, the hierarchy of the Scarrans had changed drastically and they were divided into two camps – those who were still loyal to Emperor Stalleek and those who were loyal to the new order of Ikarus. The latter had made alliance with an unknown race and were in the beginning stage of a new campaign of taking over the galaxy. And this act alone had initiated a civil war in the Scarran Empire. But it seemed that both sides were determined to locate and capture the leviathan and its crew.
As they were traveling in star burst, a shockwave of unknown origin had stricken and hurtled the ship. Their Commander had come near the ship when they had initiated the star burst but now there was no sign of him. This got them worried.
"Dominar," – Pilot called. "Moya is detecting a city floating in the ocean on the planet below."
"Good, Pilot." – Rygel said. "We can re-supply there. Chiana and I will take Moya's transport and reach the city."
"Meanwhile, Pilot." – Chiana inserted. "You can continue to look for…"
"We will." – Pilot said. "He can't be that far away."
"Good." – Rygel said and hovered upwards. He was about to leave the bridge when the ship shook. "Pilot?"
"The Scarrans, they've found us." – The Pilot shouted.
"Prepare for immediate star burst." – Rygel shouted in panic.
Moya initiated the procedure but the Decimator fired first disabling her.
"Pilot, are you there?" – Chiana called. "Pilot?"
"I'm fine." – Pilot replied. "But we were hit. The Scarran Decimator is firing again."
"Evasive maneuvers!"
"It's too late."
But as they saw they were not the target.
"The frelling Scarrans have fired at the city below." – Chiana said.
"We are receiving transmission from the Decimator." – Pilot announced.
"Put it on."
"Crew of Leviathan, surrender immediately to the Imperial Scarran Forces. All of the crew is to leave the leviathan, and head for this Decimator. Failure to abide will result into your destruction." – The crew recognized the voice.
"We are not there yet, Aknera." – Chiana blurted out.
"Actually, we are." – Pilot said sadly. "Moya can't initiate star burst."
Meanwhile just as Moya had appeared, in orbit were Colonel Lorne and his team.
"What the hell is that?" – Lieutenant Marcel exclaimed. "A wraith's hive?'
"I don't think so." – Lorne shook his head. "It looks nothing like one."
"Atlantis to Lorne, come in, Colonel." – Rodney's voice came over the radio.
"I hear you, doc." – Lorne replied.
"Ah, good, do not attack the vessel; I repeat do not attack the vessel." – Rodney said.
"Is it wraith?"
"No, I'm certain of it."
"Then what is it?"
"I can't be a hundred percent sure but I think it might be coming from a parallel reality." – Rodney's stunning answer was.
"A parallel universe?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Dr. McKay, sensors have just picked up another ship." – The very distressed voice of Chuck interrupted.
"The Achilles?" – Lorne inquired.
"No, I don't believe so." – Chuck said.
Rodney looked at the sensor data and agreed quickly. It has been only few minutes after the arrival of the first ship when the second appeared on scanning range, and it was coming fast.
A second rift in space opened and a very odd looking vessel appeared. It looked like the tripod of Neptune. It was twice as big as the Leviathan. It had silver spear like spikes and it was moving at high impulse. The vessel opened fire at the first one with ruthless diligence. Then it seemed as though it had noticed the city below and shot a cylindrical object towards the surface. As it reached almost two thousand meters above the city the object separated into twelve smaller objects and Rodney had just the time to identify them and react accordingly.
The nukes cloud cleared there was no sign of Atlantis but as Lorne and his team did not detect any rubble they naturally assumed Rodney must have cloaked the city.
"Colonel, we are intercepting some radio chatter." – Marcel informed.
"Let's hear it." – Lorne commanded.
"Crew of Leviathan, surrender immediately to the Imperial Scarran Forces. All of the crew has to leave the leviathan, and head for this Decimator. Failure to abide will result into the destruction of this leviathan."
"We are not there yet, Aknera." – Another voice replied.
"You will surrender or you will be destroyed just like the city you were trying to reach." – Aknera's cold voice countered.
The language was unknown but it did sound threatening. The voice coming from the Leviathan seemed defiant. But this wasn't very helpful.
"Who the hell, they think they are?" – Lorne blurted out. This ship came like out of nowhere starting to shoot at everything, even Atlantis. Lorne had just enough of it. Usually he was not the guy to lose his temper but everything has its limits. "Lieutenant, scan that ship."
"Yes, sir." – Marcel replied. The scanning revealed slightly better shielding on the aft section than the front of the vessel, also with heavily reinforced duranium hull with twelve weapon turrets and missile launchers. He reported this to Lorne.
"What is the status of the Achilles?" – Lorne inquired.
"There are in communication range, sir." – Marcel answered then paused. "We are receiving encoded transmission from Atlantis."
"What does it say?"
"Dr. McKay has apprised the Achilles of the situation. They'll be here within five minutes."
"Good, inform the good doctor that we have received his transmission. And that we are waiting for the Achilles."
The Achilles was just five minutes away when it received the transmission. Colonel Reynolds read the message a bit stunned. Then they listened to the intercepted transmission. The language was indeed unknown but Cam managed to understand one word and that word happened to be Scarran. It was because of the log he had heard.
"Oh, no!" – He exclaimed. "Colonel, we have a serious problem."
"Like?" – Reynolds looked at him expectantly. Cam patiently explained it to him and then they were interrupted.
"Sir, we are receiving another transmission."
"What does it say?" – Reynolds inquired.
"It is a distress signal. It is some five hundred light years away from Atlantis."
"What's the origin of the transmission?"
"It's…" – Lieutenant Merks said. "Sir, it is an Earth signal."
"What?"
"The systems are identifying it as Morse code."
"Morse code – transmitted through five hundred light years? That seems impossible."
"The carrier wave is unlike anything we know but it is definitely the Morse code."
"Very well, as soon as we take care of the current problem we shall render assistance." – Reynolds judged. "Send a reply transmission."
"We are approaching coordinates." – Merks informed.
"Drop us out of hyperspace and engage the cloak."
The Achilles dropped out of hyperspace and cloaked immediately. The sight of the two unknown vessels was extraordinary.
"Which one is the Scarran vessel?" – Reynolds inquired.
"That one." – Cam pointed at the Decimator.
"Scan the ship."
"Yes, sir." – Merks said. "The ship is armed with missile launchers and some form of energy cannons. It has minimal shielding on the aft and port sections. Sir, I'm also detecting small amounts of residual radiation."
"It must be from the nukes." – Reynolds observed.
"It would seem the Scarrans do not waste time." – Cam remarked.
"A tactical precaution I guess." – Reynolds said. "As in time of war."
"I think it would be best if we make ourselves known to the enemy." – Cam suggested.
"I happen to agree. Shields up." – Reynolds commanded. "We'll take a page of the diplomacy book."
"And if it doesn't work…" – Merks asked.
"Then we'll turn the page to the part saying shoot first ask questions later." – Cam answered.
"Open a channel."
"Channel open, sir."
"Unknown ship, this is the Earth battle cruiser Achilles, identify yourself immediately. Failure to comply will be accepted as an act of aggression and we will respond with the full force of our weapons."
At this time, aboard Moya the crew has detected the new ship appearing out of thin air. It was unknown to them.
"The new ship is transmitting a message." – Pilot informed.
"Put it on, Pilot." – Rygel said with authority in his voice.
"Unknown ship, this is the Earth battle cruiser Achilles, identify yourself immediately. Failure to comply will be accepted as an act of aggression and we will respond with the full force of our weapons."
Chiana exclaimed surprised. Rygel looked at her. "What?"
"It's English."
"What?"
"This ship is from Earth." – Chiana explained.
"But the humans have no space capable ships of this or any other size." – Rygel said.
"Pilot, contact the Earth ship." – Chiana asked.
"The channel is open."
You can imagine the surprise aboard the Achilles when they received a transmission from Moya in English. Chiana quickly explained how she was capable of speaking English and agreed to send the translated greeting to the Scarrans.
Minister Aknera was losing patience with the crew of Moya. But then his tactical officer informed.
"Minister, sensors just picked another ship."
"What? Where?"
"Two hundred metrons off starboard. It's hailing us in an unknown language."
"Is the Leviathan disabled?"
"Yes, minister."
"Then turn the Decimator toward this ship."
"We're receiving a second transmission – it's from the Leviathan. They say it comes from the other ship."
"Put it."
Minister Aknera listened carefully and a devious smile appeared on his face. They must have reached the commander's home world. Good, it would become a good, new addition to the Scarran Empire.
"Ordinance officer, prepare to fire!" – Aknera ordered.
Minister Aknera was so sure of his victory that he did not consider the possibility that he might fail as he knew nothing about the opponent's capabilities. His Decimator fired its frack cannons but the Earth ship surprisingly withheld the attack. Then they repeated their transmission.
"Increase firing rate." – Aknera blurted out.
This time, the Earth ship evaded their blasts. Then they detected four smaller ships that appeared out of nowhere. They launched odd looking golden objects, which penetrated the Decimator's defense screen like it was no existent.
"Minister, we have damage throughout sectors four and eight."
"How is this possible?" – Aknera was caught off guard completely.
"The enemy missiles penetrated our shielding. The enemy is ordering us to surrender."
"Nukes, fire nukes at them." – Aknera commanded hysterically.
The Decimator fired again. The nukes hit the target but did not manage to destroy the enemy's ship. Instead, the Earth ship turned around and fired. The Decimator shook violently. Explosions incurred all over the ship.
"Hull breach on all levels."
"Minister, we are detecting missiles from the surface."
"What? Where are they coming from?"
"Sensors just picked up the city that we…destroyed."
"Impossible." – Aknera said with disbelief.
The golden missiles had indeed come from the surface. Rodney had decided to join in the confrontation. The energy beams of the Earth ship cut the Decimator like butter.
Minister Aknera watched with terror while his ship was coming to pieces. He did not expect the enemy to be so superior. Those Earthlings were just as superior as the wraiths, their new ally.
"Get us out of here!" – Minister Aknera had ordered but it was already too late. The Decimator came apart before anyone could reach the escape pods. The Scarrans have incurred the Wrath of Atlantis and paid the price.
Rygel the sixteenth was watching with great surprise the firepower of the Earth ship but also with his usual dominion of pride. The Earthlings obviously had a few surprises down their sleeves. As the Decimator was destroyed Moya received a transmission from the Earth ship inviting them to the surface in their city.
"But your city was destroyed." – Chiana said.
"It's not the first time we had to fake its destruction." – Reynolds replied. "If you'd look you will find it where it was."
"Pilot?" – Chiana called. "Is the city still on the surface?"
"Yes, it is." – Pilot's surprised voice informed.
"We've been invited on the surface." – Chiana said.
"Then we shall go. Pilot, prepare Moya's transport for take off." – Rygel commanded.
Rygel and Chiana boarded one of Moya's transporters and headed straight for the surface. Their amazement grew as they saw the city. It was floating majestically. They noticed the greeting escort send by Rodney on the eastern platform.
Meanwhile, Colonel Reynolds after beaming down Colonel Mitchell ordered the ship to proceed to the coordinates of the distress signal they intercepted. The Achilles opened a window in hyperspace and vanished.
Rodney and Cam were in the control room when their guests arrived. They were informed that the transporter with which the guests had come to the surface was bio mechanical just like the ship in orbit. Their guests were Chiana – blue skinned and silvery-gray haired, and with playful look in the eyes and Rygel – the most stunning creature they've ever seen. He was barely taller than three feet and sitting a chair or throne that was hovering just at the height of Chiana's head. With them there was also a little robot looking bug with two antennas for eyes moving in every direction studying this new environment with childish curiosity.
Rodney stepped forward. "Welcome to the city of Atlantis. My name is Dr. Rodney McKay, leader of the Atlantis expedition."
But for Rodney's frustration the guests had stopped their gaze starring at Cam. Then for great surprise, Chiana exclaimed. "Crython!" And threw her arms around him.
Cam was to say the least baffled. It was true that he had heard that name but couldn't imagine the reason for this reaction.
"Crython!" – Rygel said too. "We thought we lost you."
Cam stepped back a few steps with defensive gesture. "I'm sorry who? You must be confusing me with someone else."
"Crython, what the Hazmana is wrong with you?" – Rygel exclaimed.
Rodney decided to intervene. There was obviously some misunderstanding. "Ah, excuse me. This is Colonel Cameron Mitchell, US Air Force." Rodney said pointing at Cam.
The guests stepped back staring back and forth between Rodney and Cam with growing surprise in their eyes.
"We are sorry for this." – Chiana said quickly.
"There has been some misunderstanding. It must be the stress from the battle." – Rygel said diplomatically. "I'm Dominar Rygel the Sixteenth of the Hynerian Empire." He flew a bit higher this time to show his title. "And this is Chiana of the Nebari. We are grateful for your timely intervention though we are surprised that your city is still intact."
Rodney and Cam looked at each other a bit baffled too. This little creature had an unusual ability to speak the language of the politicians. But it seemed he was who he says he was.
"Well, it's not the first someone has decided to destroy us." – Rodney said.
"This way." – Cam gestured towards the briefing room.
"The city of Atlantis belonged once to a race known as the Lanteans, our ancestors." – Rodney began. "They have built this city some two three million years ago when they had left Earth and headed out to explore the galaxies."
"McKay, I'm sorry to interrupt the history lesson…" – Cam interfered. "But we would like to know where are you coming from? We have never heard of your respected races."
"Ah, Colonel, I can explain that." – Rodney said before their guests could master a response.
"You can?" – Cam looked surprised at Rodney.
"Yes, I believe our guests are coming from a parallel universe." – Rodney's answer was.
This answer of course surprised the guests more than it did Cam.
"But it would be lie if I said I knew their point of origin." – Rodney said but seeing Cam's confused reaction added. "They were traveling into something similar to hyperspace when they were diverted to us. Atlantis detected an anomalous shockwave that tossed Atlantis into the air like it was a toy. This shockwave emanated from your last location and even penetrated subspace sending massive ripples through it. From what I can tell it would seem as strangely as it sounds that all parallel universes are now linked together. In other words, they are all intersecting. So any object traveling in subspace could have been directed to another universe. And this is how I believe our guests came to us."
Chiana and Rygel to say the least did not understand half of what Rodney said but they did understand that there is some difference between the place they were coming from and the place they were in now. And now they really missed Crython as he was the one that could actually understand what this doctor was going on about.
"Colonel Mitchell, Dr. McKay to the control room." – Chuck's voice interrupted.
Cam and Rodney exited the briefing room.
"What is it Chuck?" – Rodney inquired.
"Off-world activation." – Chuck replied and truthfully the gate had activated. "I have Major Jadeson who wants to speak with you. She says it is urgent."
"Put the Major on." – Rodney said.
Chuck pressed a few buttons and the major appeared on the view screen.
"Major, report." – Cam said.
Major Jadeson looked quite confused but not as much as when she saw Colonel Mitchell.
"Major, what is it?" – Rodney asked.
"It is difficult to explain, doctor. But I have someone here that would like to meet you." – Major Jadeson replied.
"Who is he?" – Rodney asked.
"He claims he is…" – Major Jadeson paused taking a deep breath. "He claims he is from Earth."
"Earth?"
"Yes, sir, but he has no clue how he got here."
Cam and Rodney looked at each other. They clearly sensed the confusion in the major's voice.
"Has he been searched?" – Cam inquired.
"Yes, all protocols are…"
"Never mind the protocls, bring him here with all his possessions." - Rodney ordered.
"Yes, sir. Jadeson out."
"What do you make of this?" – Cam looked questioningly at Rodney.
"I don't know." – Rodney shook head.
"What is this?" – Rodney turned around facing Chiana who was pointing at the gate.
"This is called a stargate. It creates an artificial wormhole that connects this gate to another on another planet." – Chuck answered instead of Rodney.
"Wormhole? Artificial wormhole?" – Chiana exclaimed looking at him strangely.
"Yes," – Chuck confirmed smiling at her then turned back to his console. "Sir, we are receiving Major Jadeson's IDC."
"Lower the shield."
Rodney and Cam went to greet the major and her team. Along came Chiana and Rygel. Major Jadeson stepped first through the gate followed by Sergeant Reveille. Then followed four marines between who was the new arrival, the new guest.
As they stepped aside, Rodney gaped. And he wasn't the only one. The guest was also starring with surprise. He was mid thirties with long black coat, leathered boots and shirt and carried an odd but familiar looking gun (actually it was a pulse pistol).
The stunning part about this sight was that this new arrival was dressed almost exactly the same way as Cameron. But this wasn't the only thing that was the same. This man looked exactly like Cam.
Major Jadeson stepped forward and announced. "This is Commander John Crython of the I.A.S.A."
Rodney who was still stunned by this sight also moved forward. "And this is Colonel Cameron Mitchell United States Air Force." – Rodney was pointing at Cam.
But Cam and John weren't paying much attention to Rodney or Jadeson. They were looking at each other with curiosity. For Cam it was not the first time he had met with a himself from another reality but it was the first time his other self carried a different name and position in life. For John this wasn't also the first time he was seeing himself although his other self was as original as he was but it was the first time he was meeting with himself from another reality that was so different from him starting from the name and finishing with being a military colonel in another galaxy!
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Lordheaven