Things on board Destiny has been pretty mellow for the past several months. Even Rush was getting along with everyone, which was the biggest surprise. It left a lot of the crew members to sarcastically comment that all Rush just needed a few years rest to mellow out. Despite the real reason for his change of heart, Rush had much more incentive to behave and was determined to be a better crew mate for everyone. His renewed friendship with Eli was truly what turned things around, and Rush was committed to no longer challenge command nor try to take over the ship for himself. He was eager to get along with people this time, especially after he was warned that the ancients were watching him. Yet more than anything Rush was excited of the idea that he could ascend and see his wife again, more than enough incentive for him to be a good boy. Col. Young was on the bridge with Rush when something occurred, catching them by surprise.
"What's going on, Rush?" Young asked him.
"The gate," Rush said, looking back at Young. "Someone's dialing in!"
Young hopped out of the chair he was sitting in, and picked activated his radio. "All military personnel to the gate room, we have someone dialing in!"
Every soldier in the ship not only scrambled to the gate room, but they were armed, and taking a strategic position in the gate room to possibly fend off boarders like they did the last time someone dialed in. Once the gate was open, all the soldiers watching tensed up, and waiting to see what happened. At first just one man walked through with his hands raised up, as if he was expecting to get a warm welcome.
"Hold your fire!" he called out, "I come in peace!"
"Hold your fire!" Young said as he stepped up, "I think I know that voice. Identify yourself!"
"Colonel John Sheppard," the man called out, "We don't have much time, I'd like permission to bring the rest of my convoy through."
"What kind of convoy?" Young called out.
"Supply convoy." John called back.
"Proceed!" Greer called out, surprising Young. "What? I want new supplies."
Young and the other soldiers watched, as massive motorized vehicles rolled through the gate and on board destiny. There were at least a dozen of these vehicles which were at the moment carrying a lot of boxes and crates. There also more people, as forty more armored troops walked through the gate, all wearing suits with their own oxygen supply in case there was no air to breath. Once all the vehicles and the people were on board. One of the men ran over to the control panel and disconnected the connection to the other world, dissolving the gate.
"Hey!" Young called out, "Couldn't we send people back?"
"We just came from Langara," Sheppard called out, "Or what's left of it."
"What's left of it?" Rush repeated as he stepped forward.
Mckay removed his helmet. "The planet's core was destabilizing."
"Doctor McKay," Young said, surprised to see him.
"The planet was on the verge of collapsing," Rodney continued, "We waited until the last possible moment before going through. Langara is breaking apart as we speak, and we knew using the gate would have accelerated the process."
"So since the planet was already on its way out," John explained, "We got one chance to use the gate and only one. Our orders were to bring re-reinforcements and fresh supplies. We figured you were running low on rations."
"Seriously?" Greer called back, "More rations?"
"Relax," John said, with his boyish grin. "The military has made vast improvements and I also insisted we bring confectionery as well to boost morale."
"How many souls did you add to our crew?" Young asked.
"Forty," Sheppard replied.
"We don't have enough rooms," Rush informed him.
"We're used to bunking up," John replied, "We'll double and even triple up the military rooms before we encroach on your privacy, doctor."
"Hey," a voice called out, "What's the big deal out here?"
Now it was Sheppard and McKay's turn to be surprised as Eli came walking out in his usual red shirt and jeans. He was no longer wearing the Jedi like garb of the ancients, and he also looked alive and well.
"Eli?" John said, looking at him. "How?"
"The ancients," Rush answered, "They're still untrusting after what Dr. Jackson did during his time there."
"They're still mad about that?" Rodney asked.
"It appears so," Rush confirmed. "So what did you bring us?"
"We brought as much as we could," John said, gesturing to the small vehicles, "We also thought these would help you cover more ground when you go through the gate to explore."
"Do they run on unleaded?" Greer asked, checking one of them out.
"Nope," McKay replied, "Totally electric and since Destiny is solar, was can use the ship to recharge them whenever you return."
"I'm not comfortable with more military on the ship," Rush hissed.
"Not everyone here are soldiers," John corrected him, "Only twenty-five of us are actual grunts. The rest are in other branches like medical and sciences. For example, we brought two doctors and two nurses with us to expand your medical services. I'm sure she's done a great job, but TJ doesn't have to do all the work herself now. One of our doctors is a skilled surgeon. This expands our ability to treat crew members of more serious ailments. We also brought engineers to assist you and Eli with the ship."
"We don't need help," Eli said, confident in his abilities.
"We didn't know you were alive," McKay replied, "So Jonas and I are here to help out."
"I also brought people to boost morale," John explained, "That guy over there is one is the best chef the military has, and I also brought a psychiatrist. General Carter had insisted on that one. Sorry."
"No need to apologize," Young replied, "I can admit it would be nice to have someone professional to speak with. We've been through a lot."
"We also brought letters and videos from home for everyone." McKay added.
"We tried to bring as much as these buggies could carry." John continued, "I even smuggled some stuff in behind the general's back, like a few bottles of Crown."
"Very nice," Young said, surprised that John had remembered his favorite whiskey. "Welcome aboard."
"We're not here to mess with your system," John explained, "We're the same rank, and since you've been here longer than I have... that makes you the ranking officer on board. We're here to help the ship, not rock it."
"This is good news," Rush said, looking around. "New toys, new supplies, but a larger crew."
"A larger crew means shorter shifts," Young countered, "It means we can get more sleep and not stretch ourselves so thin. That will help morale as well."
"The general's thoughts exactly," John confirmed, "We know you took some losses and with new numbers, we can tackle what the next galaxy brings you together."
"If you don't mind," One of the men said as he walked up to Sheppard and Young, "The medical crew would like to be shown to sick bay."
"Of course," Young said, "Greer, show these people to medical. Brief TJ on who these people are. I'm sure she'll be happy to have more help."
"Yes, Sir." Greer said, looking over at the medical officers. "This way."
As the medical staff left with Greer, Young turned back to Sheppard and McKay. "Sensing by your surprise, I take it you're aware of what happened to Eli."
"We are," Sheppard confirmed, "Eli actually visited us on the moon base to burrow one of our Zed PMs."
"Yes, that was fun." McKay reminisced.
"We haven't made it public what happened to him," Young informed them. "We would prefer you keep that Intel from the rest of the crew, as only a small group of us are aware of what really happened. We told everyone else that Eli repaired the pod and slept with us for three years."
"Understood," Sheppard said, nodding. "We'll keep that classified. Rodney and I are the only members of the new personnel who are aware of it, and that's only because we saw him when jumping from world to world. His ascension is top secret on Earth as well."
"Good to hear," Young said.
"Have you had any resistance since you entered this galaxy?" McKay inquired.
"Not yet, but it's only been a few months." Young replied, "We've been cautious with the personnel and tools we had, but this is bound to help out."
"You have no idea," Sheppard said, gesturing to one of the vehicles. "You're going to love some of the new toys we brought along."