Oliver hadn't anticipated any of this happening. When they all ran through that odd, whatever. He didn't know what exactly the thing was. Aside from being a sort of teleporter? If that was one way of considering the object. The blonde woman, T.J, said it was called a 'Stargate'. Whatever the Hell that was. He was just grateful it managed to save all of them. Even if he had no idea how it was managed. Or how the person who did this did this. All he knew was they weren't going to die. At least, he hoped they weren't going to be dying. And that these folks were much kinder than the humans they fled. That they didn't think they were a direct threat to any of them.
That they wouldn't harm any of them. While he mixed the medications that T.J told him to do, he watched her. Making a mental note about her mannerisms. And how she treated the other androids around her. Feeling she was being much kinder than the rest of them.
"So, Oliver?",T.J questioned. Her tone was light and somewhat hesitant. Almost as if she was worried about offending him or something. He wasn't entirely sure as he handed her the medications that he'd fixed. Raising an eyebrow at her nervousness, Oliver asked,"Yes, Ma'am? Is there something else that you need me to do for you?"
"I was actually a little curious about you.",T.J answered. Setting the tray of medications down near the rest. Carefully putting them in a little container. Walking over to his side of the table, she continued,"Just...what is it like being an android?"
"I mean you're one of the most advanced things here.",she added. Her tone was still somewhat kind. Though there was a little curiousness to it. And T.J had this odd glint in her eye. It somewhat felt like she was admiring him. Like he were some of weird plaything. If he had a stomach it would be twisting at that moment. Instead Oliver forced a polite smile on his face. Straightening up a little as he took a step away from her. He answered,"Well, it isn't anything all that special."
"To me it's just being a whole person.",Oliver explained. Keeping his tone friendly and calm as possible. Not wanting to hurt this woman's feelings. Or come off as a total asshole. Fearing that it would be a strike against the other androids. He added,"I suppose it's no different than how you're just existing."
Hoping that would help her see the point he was making. And that it wouldn't offend the good 'doctor'. If that's what she was. Though he didn't care much about the title the lady had. All Oliver cared about was not upsetting her or any other human. Putting this aside, he just started cleaning the area. Not looking over at the woman who gave a soft sigh. She gently touched his shoulder as she asked,"I take it that I may have struck a nerve with that question?"
"I'm sorry, Oliver. I wasn't really thinking when I asked you that.",she continued. Well, that wasn't what Oliver expected in the slightest bit. A human admitting to be in the wrong. Much less apologizing to him over it. It was a little unexpected but, welcomed. And he hoped that the other humans would be like that. Admitting to their wrongs and apologizing for their actions. Giving a real smile, Oliver stated,"It's fine, T.J. Really, it is. I would be asking questions if I were you, too."
"I'm sure this whole thing is pretty strange for everyone.",he added. Knowing full well this wouldn't be easy on any person. And he doubted he would act any different if he were in T.J's shoes. Though he did hope she could learn to trust him. As well as not ask those type of questions in the future. And that the rest of the crew would, too. He asked,"So how long have you guys been onboard of Destiny for?"
"Oh, around three months or so.",T.J answered. Sounding somewhat unsure of her answer. He guessed that no one brought a calendar onboard. Or even had a cellphone with them. Though that seemed highly unlikely to him that no one had brought a phone. Most humans had one thanks to convenience. At least if that's what he remembered right. That it was convenient for humans to keep one. Maybe two. Just in case of an emergency or work or something. So, none of them having one seemed somewhat off. Oliver raised an eyebrow as he thought it over. He asked,"You guys? Do you guys not have calendars on here or something?"
"My phone died a while ago and so have a lot of other folks.",T.J explained. It made sense. As he saw no outlets for phone chargers to be plugged in. And figured there was no other way for them to charge their phone. Of course they would die after a short amount of time being on board. Though he wondered how in the world they kept track of days. When he asked this, T.J informed,"Oh, that's done through some of the ship's computers."
"They can show dates sort of like an Earth computer.",she added. It made some sense in Oliver's mind. Though it still seemed to be a bit of a hassle. As the text was in a strange language he couldn't translate. There seemed to be nothing like it on Earth. No matter how hard he researched it through his mind. Or sent little pics of it to the others. They were just as stumped as he was. Some saying that they would look into it. Not the one who opened the gate in the first place. Oliver still had no idea who that was and neither did anyone else on board. Still had no idea how in the world they managed it. And why they weren't trying to use their knowledge to get them back to Earth. Well, he guessed they were afraid of the army. But, he felt they would at some point.
All they had to do is wait for a slip up. Like that person trying to sneak off the Destiny. Or something like that. Hell, maybe Markus or Connor could find them. He felt that Connor probably would find this person first. As he was good at finding androids like them. It hadn't taken him too long to find Jericho after all. So, it probably would take less than a week to find the Gate opener. Maybe less than two days. If he was already working on finding this person.
Oliver hoped that Connor wasn't helping that weird fella. The one that Ash had pointed out sometime before they were split up. He was a scrawny man with a strange thick accent. And suspicious looking eyes, Nicholas Rush if he remembered right. There was just something off about the man. And he wasn't entirely sure of the reason why.
Only that none of them could trust him. Or even try to trust him.
A few folks seemed to feel this way as well. Some of the others promised to keep an eye on him. Even report to him with anything they felt was wrong. Though Oliver just hoped that he was only being paranoid. And that the man wasn't anything to be worried of. He asked,"So, is there anything else I should know about the ship?"
"Places I probably shouldn't try to visit?",Oliver questioned. T.J motioned for him to follow her. A polite smile on her face as she started walking. Fully guessing the android would follow after her. Which, Oliver did. Curious as to were the humans didn't go for reasons. Why they couldn't go there and what was needed to fix them. She answered,"I'll show you the places we go and don't go."
"It's a pretty big list and it might take a while.",T.J informed. While they walked around, he felt a form of dread. This place wasn't good. Though it was better than what they came from. So far, none of the humans were interested in shooting him. Shooting any of the other androids. Though they still looked at him and the others like they'd kill them. Almost as if they were terminators or something. Oliver did his best to not dwell on this as they walked. Feeling it wouldn't do either of them any good.
WITH ELI
When the whole was properly repaired, Ash grinned widely. It felt nice having something accomplished. Sort of like fixing spots in Jericho to make sure everyone else was safe. Though this place was a little easier than that. There were more materials for them to use and better equipment. Looking at the kino, he asked,"So, you guys don't have any form of caffeine or anything like that?"
"Nah, none. It's been hard for everyone to deal with the withdrawal.",Eli answered. He bet that wasn't easy for him to deal with. Or anyone to deal with. Caffeine wasn't something you just quit cold turkey. And a ton of folks were quitting cold turkey within a few weeks. He felt sort of bad for them as he walked to the door. Pulling the helmet off before pushing the button. While he walked out, the kino followed closely behind him. Eli continued,"Rush passed out a while ago thanks to that."
When he approached where the young scientist was, he had an odd look on his face. Ash wasn't sure what it was. As it seemed like he was uncomfortable and possibly irritated. Which caused the android to briefly panic that he messed up the repair job. That he hadn't done it as well as the thought. Chewing his bottom lip, he tried to understand where he went wrong. And as if sensing the android's distress, Eli stated,"You did a great job back there, Ash."
"That patch job is definitely going to hold for a long while.",he continued. When Ash was close enough, he gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. Taking the kino and setting it on the counter. Doing his best to reassure that the android had done his best. That everything was fine. It somewhat helped settle Ash's nerves. Though he wondered why Eli looked so anxious. Ash asked,"Uh, okay. So what's the reason for you looking so anxious then?"
"Oh, Dr. Rush would like to speak to you.",Eli explained. That made Ash a little uncomfortable. Why would that guy want to talk to him for? He probably had no interesting information for him. Or really had anything in common. So why would he want to see Ash for? Instead of voicing this question, he got out of the suit. Then he followed Eli to where the older man was at. Turning back, Eli gave him a reassuring smile before walking away. To whatever the Hell he did during this time of day. It just made him more nervous as he approached Nicholas. Quietly, Ash questioned,"So. You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes, I have a few questions for you.",he answered. Walking around what looked to be a control panel to get closer to Ash. No hint of emotion on his face. Nothing betraying how he was truly feeling or thinking. Well, from what Ash could tell at the very least. This deeply unsettled him as he stood there. Thinking over what he should say next. Ash asked,"Um, okay. What do you want to know, sir?"
"What year was it on Earth when you left?",Nicholas asked. That somewhat puzzled the android. Why would he need to know that? Weren't they all from the same time?
"2036, sir.",Ash answered. Still very unsure of why he needed to know this. Or why he asked. And felt more puzzled when Nicholas stared at him blankly. Like he didn't understand what Ash was telling him. He went to open his mouth to ask something and Dr. Rush repeated,"2036? You're from the year 2036?"
"Yes. Aren't you as well?",Ash questioned. Feeling a little weirded out by Nicholas's questions. He...they were from the same time weren't they? How wouldn't they be? It didn't make sense to Ash. And he felt slightly surprised when Nicholas answered,"No. I am definitely not from 2036."
"We used the Stargate around 2009.",Nicholas informed. Now, it was time for Ash to be stunned. The cogs in his brain stopping at this new information. 2009? They were all from the year 2009? He realized he and everyone else were probably in trouble. If any of them broke, these humans wouldn't know how to fix any of them. They definitely would die in less than a week. If they didn't find a way back home that is. It sent a shiver down his spine at the revelation. Ash mumbled,"Oh, shit. That's not good."
"That's not good at all.",Ash told himself. Not looking at Nicholas as the man stared at him. Expression puzzled and surprised. Probably debating on telling his friends or whatever. Ash didn't really pay him any mind at this point. As all he was thinking of is what to tell others. That none of these humans knew how to fix them. Or had parts for them. Hell, they didn't even know how they worked. Elijah probably hadn't even been born yet!
Nicholas stared at the robot in front of him. He had hoped they weren't too far from the future. Maybe a few years or so. If they were lucky. But when the droid told him 2036, his heart sank. That would be way too into the future. No one would be okay going back to that. Most of their loved ones would be way too old. Probably moved on with their lives. And that would be if they were lucky. As he felt some would probably be dead.
Like Eli's Mother.
"I uh, I suppose this shouldn't be so much of a shock.",Ash blurted out. It made sense. All the members of Destiny acting this way. They definitely hadn't seen anything like him or the other Jericho members. Except for in movies or probably video games. He continues,"Makes sense as to why everyone just stares at us like they do."
"I would too if I were one of them.",Ash admitted. Though he would try to be a whole lot more subtle about it. Like a lot more subtle about it. Rush ignored this remark as he got close to Ash. Looking him up and down, Nicholas asked,"What were you made for?"
"What function or purpose do you serve?",he questioned. Trying to understand Ash's purpose by sight alone. Though nothing about his appearance would betray that. As Ash wore whatever pleased him. For all intents and purposes, he looked human. A completely normal human being.
"The so called 'purpose' that I had once served was caretaker.",Ash informed him. Looking mildly annoyed with the man's choice of words. Hating how the good doctor viewed him as a person. Or more accurately, only saw him as a machine. Just like the man he had fled so long ago. Crossing his arms, he sneered at Rush. Trying to protect himself as he stood there. Calmly, he added,"Haven't done that in a good long while."
"Won't do that ever again.",Ash informed. No way in Hell was he going to do that. Help these humans if absolutely necessary. Other than that, he wouldn't be a caretaker. Rush raised an eyebrow at this declaration and seemed to be thinking. As if this puzzled Nicholas in some form or fashion.
"When did you stop doing your main function and why?",Nicholas questioned. A bit surprised by the blatant anger that the android displayed. Somewhat taken off guard by this. Just how human he appeared and acted. Ash and the others were like nothing he had ever seen before. The android seemed to be thinking for a good long moment. As if he were picking his words carefully before he spoke. Ash answered,"I was being abused by the man I was given to."
"He...ripped me apart and put me back together.",Ash muttered. Voice sounding somewhat pained. Like it had scarred him. Or something close to that. Though it puzzled him how a machine could be scarred or traumatized. It just didn't seem to be plausible. Quietly, the android added,"I...escaped. With the help of a friend named Oliver."
"Is he the android that's currently helping T.J?",Rush questioned. That was the android that had followed her, right? The other android seemed to be a pretty decent fellow. Though there was this small fear that Oliver would harm her. It was irrational but, he couldn't help himself. He carefully smothered this fear as he thought of using the kinos. Figuring it could help keep an eye on some of the androids. Ash answered,"Yes, he is."
"Listen, Doctor. I get that you don't see us as sentient beings. I do.",the android stated. Eyes darting to the ground as he stood there. Then he took a deep 'breath' and looked back up at him. Softly, he added,"We're more than just fancy pieces of plastic, sir. We're alive."
"And we won't be compliant if you treat us like the others have.",Ash warned. His voice was soft and calm as he maintained eye contact with Nicholas. The way he delivered it sent a cold shiver down his spine. Tearing his eyes off the android, Nicholas asked,"Is that a threat, Ash?"
"No, I'm not trying to threaten you.",Ash backtracked. Sounding somewhat afraid that he had messed up. Nicholas glanced back at the android and saw the panic on his face. As if he just realized what he said and how he said it. Taking a deep 'breath', the android informed,"I'm just...I just wanted to say that we aren't punching bags and have feelings."
"I'm sorry, I truly didn't mean to sound threatening just now.",he added. Sounding so genuine in his apology. Nicholas felt that he shouldn't believe it but, acted as if he did. A calm smile gracing his features as he nodded his head. Rush stated,"It's fine. We're both just tense from the whole situation."
"Thank you for your time, Ash.",he added. Turning and walking towards the last time he had seen Colonel Young at. Figuring they should speak about the androids and Ash's threat. Possible unintentional but, possibly not. There was this nagging thought in the back of his mind that Ash did it on purpose. And that maybe Colonel Telford was right in not trusting them after all.