At Destiny's End

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own SGU or anything pertaining to SGU.

Warning: Mild violence and language.

Author's note: The majority of chapters will begin with a Kino clip, shown in italics. The remainder of the chapter will be the story behind the clip. There will probably also be a few chapters, or at least portions of chapters, detailing what is going on back at the party. As noted most of the story is centered around Volker though there will be chapters devoted to other characters as well. I will be introducing at least one original character who will play an important role in the main storyline.

Feedback is always appreciated.

xxxxx

A group of soldiers and civilians led by Matt, jogging through the halls. One of the scientists stopped for a breather. A soldier saw the pause and stopped to confront him.

"What do you think you're doing? Get moving!"

"Just need a minute," the scientist gasped. "Running…not exactly…my thing."

"What part of get moving did you not understand!"

Dale stepped forward then, also gasping for breath. "Look," he said, "we're doing the best we can. We're all out here, just as we've been asked. Why—"

His voice cut out as the soldier's fist connected with his jaw.

xxxxx

Tensions aboard the Destiny continued to mount. The constant state of emergency they had found themselves in was brutally testing everyone's limits. There was a general lack of trust amongst the ship's occupants, though some alliances had already formed. No one wanted to be there with the possible exception of Rush, but unfortunately no knew how to get them home.

It was obvious that some were coping with the stress better than others. Oddly enough the military personnel really didn't seem to be handling things any better than the civilians. Even though many of the civilians were fearful of the formation of some kind of military dictatorship they couldn't help but look to the military for leadership. They were, after all, the trained professionals for this kind of thing. Many of the military personnel were barely holding it together, however, and it was disconcerting for the civilians to see.

At some point early on in their journey Colonel Young had issued a mandate that everyone on board would attend PT. For the military personnel this was already part of daily life, but many of the civilians were unaccustomed to the level of physical activity that was now being required of them. As a result it was a constant struggle in the early days to get everyone to participate. Some of the civilians were even paranoid enough to believe that the Colonel was trying to wear them down so they'd be more compliant.

Lieutenant Scott knew he would have his work cut out for him when the Colonel ordered him to make sure everyone was fit. He set about his task with as much enthusiasm as he could muster, but there were many occasions when his patience was sorely tested. This was definitely one of those days.

The workout had started out peacefully enough. Some stretching, some warm up exercises in what could be called resigned if not companionable silence. Then they were off for the dreaded morning run. Or beginning of their wakeful period run, as one scientist had dubbed it. One of the many adjustments that had to be made on the ship was adapting to time without days or nights. Just a set 24 hour schedule they all followed in an effort to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

Even the run was going remarkably well, at least in comparison to other mornings. So far no one had thrown up and it seemed that everyone was still with the group. Lt. Scott was just congratulating himself on his improving motivational skills when he heard the commotion taking place further back in the hallway.

By the time Lt. Scott made his way back through the crowd Volker was unconscious and MSgt. Greer had the offending soldier pinned against a wall.

"What the hell happened here?" he demanded.

"They stopped running," snarled the soldier. "I was just giving them a little motivation."

"I just needed to catch my breath," a voice rasped nearby. Scott turned and for the first time observed the scientist who had slumped unobtrusively into an alcove. He was staring at Volker with fear written plainly across his features, his trembling arms cradling his knees to his chest. He looked up at Scott and gestured loosely toward Volker's prone form, "He didn't do anything and that guy just decked him. Is he going to be okay?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine, but probably a little sore. Looks like he's starting to come around already," Scott replied.

"Get him out of here," Lt. Scott addressed Greer, glaring at the soldier.

"What do you want me to do with him?"

"Put him in his quarters and keep an eye on him. Col. Young is due back later this morning and I'm sure he'll want to address this himself." Scott winced at the thought. He was actually pretty sure that this would be the last thing the Colonel would want to deal with when he got back. The Colonel was typically in a pensive mood when he returned from his debriefings with the General and rarely in the mood for petty squabbles. Still, the Colonel would have to be the one to handle this. With tensions mounting it was imperative that all disciplinary majors were uniform and as the ranking officer on board it fell to Colonel Young to make sure that happened.

While Greer led the soldier back to his quarters Lt. Scott turned his attention back to the assaulted astrophysicist, who had regained consciousness and was at that moment attempting to sit. Scott leaned down to offer his hand in assistance. Volker accepted, though his reluctance was apparent. "You okay?" Scott asked.

"Been better," Dale replied. He leaned into the wall for support, flexing his jaw with a grimace.

"Look on the bright side," said Eli, who was amongst the joggers that had congregated, "at least with the mush we've been eating you don't have to worry about any chewing while your jaw heals!"

Scott's icy glare silenced Eli before he could cram his foot any further into his mouth. "Lt. James, would you please lead the remainder of the morning run while I escort Dr. Volker to see Lt. Johansen?"

"Yes sir!" James responded. "Alright everyone, let's get moving!" Their feet pounded an uneven rhythm on the cold metal of the ship's floor as they went through the motions of their routine. The scientist shrugged at Volker in sympathy and followed at the rear of the line.

When only the two of them remained in the hallway Scott refocused his attention on Volker. "Are you okay to walk?"

"Sure, why not," Dale replied flippantly as he stepped away from the wall. Thankfully Scott had enough experience with knock outs and quick enough reflexes that he was able to keep Volker from hitting the floor for a second time.

"How about a little help?" Scott offered.

Dale wanted to refuse. He had just been knocked unconscious by one military man and wasn't eager to accept help from another. Accepting help would be almost as good as admitting that he was okay with it, but he wasn't okay. He was tired of the hostility, of feeling helpless, and most of all he was sick of feeling worthless.

He looked Scott in the eye and considered his options. Practicality finally won and he reluctantly accepted Scott's assistance. The pair made their way along the corridors in silence with Scott helping to support Volker's weight until they reached the room Lt. Johansen had requisitioned as an infirmary.

The medic looked up from her work as she heard them approaching. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.

"A little mishap during PT," Scott replied, "I don't think anything too serious. He took a hit to the jaw and was unconscious for about a minute."

"He is right here," glared Volker, "and fully capable of answering for himself."

"Well, while you're here why don't I take a look?" T.J. asked soothingly.

"I'm fine, really," he responded sullenly knowing that his token attempt at resistance was futile.

"I'm sure you are, but you can never be too careful with head injuries," she replied, already examining his jaw. "It looks like you'll have a bit of a bruise and it will probably be sore for awhile but other than that I think you'll be fine. Are you hurting anywhere else?"

"Hitting the ground doesn't exactly feel good," he stated. "But no, not really hurting. I'll probably have a few other bruises." He grimaced at the thought. Life on the Destiny was already uncomfortable enough.

"I'd like you to stay here for a few hours for observation, just to be on the safe side," T.J. advised.

"I'm fine," was his exasperated reply .

T.J. sighed. "Stubborn-ass men. Okay, I'll make you a deal. If you can walk to your quarters on your own and if you agree to take a radio with you I'll let you rest there," she grabbed a spare radio, "otherwise you will stay here under observation until I give you permission to leave."

Dale took the radio from her outstretched hand and climbed unsteadily to his feet. "Deal," he replied as he made his way to the door. He paused briefly before exiting and turned just long enough to say, "Thanks," before resuming the trek to his room. He was determined to make it back so he could nurse his wounds, both the physical and the emotional, in privacy. Between the punch to the jaw, the poor sustenance available on board, and the exhausting hours of work he had put into learning more about the ship he really wasn't in good enough condition to be going for a walk. The realization hit him right after he rounded the corner and he slumped against the wall. He looked down at the radio in his hand.

xxxxx

T.J. nodded her response to Volker and watched him exit the room. When she was sure he was out of hearing range she turned to Scott and asked, "So what happened?"

"Apparently one of the civilians decided to stop for a breather during our run this morning. One of the enlisted men took it upon himself to provide some motivation and Volker somehow wound up in the middle. I'm not really sure of all the details," Scott answered.

"So where's the soldier who hit him?" she asked.

"I had Greer take him back to his quarters and told Greer to sit on him until the Colonel gets back," he replied. "Speaking of which I'd better go wait for him. He's due back any time now. See you at lunch?"

She responded with a wry smile, "Can't wait."

xxxxx

Scott rounded the corner to see Dale still slumped against the wall, staring at the radio in his hand.

"You thinking about using that thing?" he asked, startling the scientist.

Volker struggled into a more upright position. "Nope, I was actually thinking I feel good enough I might as well get some work done," he replied unconvincingly.

"Sure you were. Tell you what, I'll make sure you get back to your quarters in once piece of you promise not to tell T.J. She'll have both our asses if she finds out," said Scott.

"Seriously?" Volker said to Scott with disbelief written clearly on his face.

"Sure. We stubborn-ass men have to stick together," the Lieutenant replied with a grin.