CHARLY'S QUARTERS, TFS HAMMOND

DRACONIS 427, DRACONIS SECTOR
0900 HOURS (ZULU)

Charly lays on her bed, her face pressed into the pillow, tears running down her cheeks, her chest heavy from the news that she can go home once the Supergate is complete. She had been grappling with the decision that's pressing her. The room around her is mostly bare; there is no need to pack. She didn't synthesize much in the universe she is in. after all. The only thing filling the silence is the soft hum of the ship's system.

Her heart aches as she stares at the dull military gray wall. Pictures of the Enterprise hanging on the wall and trying to keep the tears at bay. Suddenly, the door chimes, pulling her out of her spiral of thoughts.

"Who is it?" She asks.

"It's your lovable Jaffa."Comes Ry'ac's deep voice from the other side of the door.

A small smile tugs at her lips despite the tears. She wipes her eyes quickly with the back her hand, pushing herself up into a sitting position. Ry'ac always have the effect on since the day she met him, making things just a little bit lighter, even when it feels like the world is falling apart.

"Come in." She calls, trying to sound more composed.

The door swooshes open, and Ry'ac walks in. His presence alone fills the room with a sense of calm, like a grounding force amid the chaos swirling inside her. But as soon as he looks at her, he didn't need to know or ask to why she is crying.

"I thought we were meeting in the mess," Ry'ac says with a light tone, giving her a concern look. He walks closer to her, sitting down beside her on the bed. "What's wrong?"

Charly took a deep breath, wiping at her face again, although it seems futile. She can't hide it from him. She looks at him, meeting his gaze, and then, with a sigh, she says. "I can go back home."

Ry'ac raise her brow slightly, "That's good isn't it?" he asks, though there's uncertainty in his voice. He moves closer to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"It's good," she says softly, leaning on him. "But I don't want to leave you. I want to be with you." She reaches for his hand, holding it tightly, and brought it to her lips and kissing it gently.

Ry'ac looks at her, "Well, of course. The sex is amazing," He said as he tries to lighten up the mood as he tried to imitate an old 21st century real estate mogul's voice and accordion hands. "Probably the best lover in both universes."

Charly lets out a small laugh, nudging him playfully. "You really know how to ruin a moment," she said with chuckle. "You're cutting yourself short, you know."

Ry'ac smirks, but there's a tenderness in his expression as he looks down at her. He brushes a strand of hair from her face, his thumb lingering on her cheek. "I wouldn't dream of letting you go back along," he says softly into her ears. "Not if you don't want to."

Charly's heart skips a beat as she look into his eyes. "I wish you could come with me." The thought of leaving him behind feels like a wound she can't bear.

"Well," Ry'ac starts to tease her. "It just so happens that General that the General ordered me to go with you."

Charly blinks, trying to process to what he just and thought he is joking. "Wait...what?"

Ry'ac grin grew as he enjoys the surprise in her eyes. "Had my shots and everything."

"You're...you're really coming with me?" Charly trying to figure out if he is being serious as she looks at his face and knew that he is not kidding.

Ry'ac nods with a smile. "I wouldn't let you face this alone, Charly. Besides, I want to meet your parents when I want to pop the question."

Charly heart skips a beat as her eyes widen when she heard him said it. "Ry'ac. we've been together for...a day."

Ry'ac chuckles as he rest his hand on her cheek and his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "There's so much to learn about Jaffa and our traditions," He says softly. "When we know, we know. And I know."

"I..." Charly begins, trying to find the words to respond. "I don't know what to say."

She leans into him, resting her head against his shoulder, letting his steady heartbeat calm her racing thoughts. Ry'ac's arm tightening around her as he eyes closes. Allowing herself to relax. Maybe this isn't as complicated. As she thought. With Ry'ac by her side, she doesn't have to choose between her home and this new universe she is in. After a long silence, Ry'ac shifts slightly, pulling her back for him to look at her.

"I'm curious to see if I really am the best lover in both universe."

Charly laughs and shakes her head. "You're impossible."

COMMANDER DAVID SHEPPARD'S OFFICE

SSV Normandy

The SSV Normandy slices through hyperspace, its sleek, stealth-engineered frame expertly designed by the Tau'ri Federation's Military Intelligence and Counterespionage Agency (MICA). At 130 meters long and 47 meters wide, the Normandy is a marvel of covert technology. The neutrino ion generators power advanced systems that render the ship invisible to most long-range sensors, while the dual hyperspace window generators allow for rapid, undetectable jumps. The Normandy strikes like a ghost, moving in and out of enemy territory without leaving a trace.

Inside the ship, dim corridors hum softly, the air thick with professionalism and quiet tension. Marines and naval personnel are stationed at the bridge, monitoring the ship's stealth systems, hyperspace engines, and weapons. The Normandy carries a small but elite group of warriors—Force Recon Marines, SEAL teams, and members of the newly formed Spectar Force (Special Tactic and Advanced Reconnaissance).

At the helm, Jeff "Joker" Moreau handles the ship's controls, his expertise in piloting unmatched.

In his office, Commander David Sheppard sits hunched over a series of holovids projected before him. His face is set in a grim expression, eyes focused intently on the footage of his cousin, Anakin John Sheppard, strapped to a metal slab. The holovids capture the cold, clinical detachment of Cerberus scientists experimenting on him. The image twists David's stomach, his fists clenched as he watches Anakin's torment, each procedure methodical and invasive, like they were dissecting a machine instead of a human being.

The door to his office slides open with a soft hiss, and Gunnery Sergeant Ashley Williams steps inside. Her sharp eyes immediately land on the flickering holovid, taking in the disturbing scene.

"Sir, we're one hour away from Draconis 247," she reports, her voice steady but her gaze lingering on the image. "Still watching the holovids, sir?"

David sighs, pausing the feed, and leans back in his chair, running a hand over his face. "Yeah... I can't shake the feeling there's something I've missed. Something that'll help us when we get to him."

Ashley steps further into the office, her posture professional but comfortable. "You've been over every frame a hundred times, sir. There's nothing new."

David nods, though his gut refuses to settle. The weight of the mission sits heavy on his shoulders. President Emin Emmagan himself had given him the directive: Find Anakin. Bring him home. Cerberus had taken his cousin—the rightful heir to the Eldred Royal Family—alive after the Berserker drones had destroyed his ship. For what purpose, David still didn't fully understand. But he knew one thing: Cerberus wasn't done with Anakin.

"We're picking up Charlotte Sheppard soon," David says, noting the subtle way Ashley's body tenses at the mention of her name. He switches off the holovid and rises from his seat, turning to face her fully. "Is there something you want to talk about, Sergeant?"

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

David nods. "Granted."

Ashley takes a breath, her tone shifting slightly. "Charlotte and I... we had a falling out."

David raises an eyebrow, surprised. "I didn't know you two were close."

"Not in the way you might think." Ashley chuckles softly, shaking her head at the assumption. "We weren't a couple, sir. We were like sisters. Best friends."

David crosses his arms, leaning back against his desk, watching her closely. "I see. What happened?"

Ashley looks down briefly, gathering her thoughts before meeting his gaze again. "You know what happened," she says with a touch of sadness. "She asked to be assigned to a different ship, took on the most dangerous missions after her husband's death—like she didn't care if she made it back or not. She couldn't cope. And she didn't want anyone around her to stop her."

David's expression softens as he turns to look out the viewport beside his desk, the streaks of hyperspace flashing by. He lets out a slow breath. "Losing Anakin hit her hard. Losing him hit all of us hard." His voice carries a weight of shared grief. "Thousands died fighting those robotic bastards."

Ashley shifts slightly as she lower's her voice. "But it was more personal for her. Anakin wasn't just her husband—he was her anchor. When she lost him, she lost her purpose. And when she lost that… well, she lost herself."

David nods slowly, absorbing her words. He understands, more than anyone, the toll that kind of loss takes on someone. Especially someone as strong as Charlotte.

"We'll get him back," David says, his voice firm with determination. "And maybe when we do, she'll find a reason to live again."

Ashley nods. "For her sake, I hope you're right, but how where did Intelligence get the video sir?"

David's jaw tightens as he considers the question, his gaze still fixed on the hyperspace streaks outside the viewport. He inhales before answering the question. He didn't want to divulge sensitive information that might leak to Cerberus, but he trusts Ashley judgement. The soft hum of the SSV Normandy's systems filled the silence between them, the hyperspace streaks flashing by the viewport like fleeting specters. Commander David Sheppard could feel it. The weight of Gunnery Sergeant Ashley Williams' gaze as she stood in front of him, waiting for a more honest answer than the one he'd just given. David's jaw tightened as he considered her question.

"Where did Intelligence get the video, sir?" Ashley repeat the question with a steady voice, but there was an undercurrent of concern. She wasn't just asking as a noncommission officer; she was asking as someone who had shared battles, missions, and—at one point—a deep friendship with Charlotte Sheppard.

David inhaled the recycled air of the Normandy, his eyes still fixed on the shifting lights of hyperspace outside. He hated keeping secrets from Ashley. He'd handpicked her to be in his outfit after the Berserker attack on Eden, a planet colonized by the Tau'ri Federation. The crew of the Destiny discovered the planet three centuries ago. When Eden had been colonized, it had been hailed as a paradise. But the Berserkers had turned that paradise into a warzone, and it had cost Federation dearly.

But Charlotte had been the one to get the video of Anakin. That much David couldn't tell Ashley. It wasn't just about secrecy; it was about the unknowns. How did the Cerberus agent get the video? Was that agent working for MICA or some other shadow organization? Both the Ministry of Intelligence (MOI) and the Military Intelligence and Counterespionage Agency (MICA) had denied having operatives deep undercover within Cerberus. But that didn't mean there weren't invisible strings being pulled. And in the Federation, the shadow wars of intelligence often came with more questions than answers.

"MICA intercepted the feed," David said finally, choosing his words carefully. "It came from a Cerberus data relay hidden deep in the Outer Rim."

The half-truth tasted bitter on his tongue. He could see the skepticism in Ashley's eyes, the way her lips pressed into a thin line. She wasn't buying it. She knew David too well, and she could tell when her CO was dodging the full truth.

"That's bullshit, sir," Ashley said flatly, cutting through the formalities. She crossed her arms, her tone unapologetic.

David's fists clenched at his sides. He turned away from the viewport, facing her fully. "What do you want from me, Sergeant?"

"I want the truth, sir," Ashley said, standing her ground. She wasn't angry, just concerned. "You handpicked me to be in SPOC. I trust you, and I know something's not adding up here. If this mission is more dangerous than you're letting on, we deserve to know. I deserve to know."

David let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck. The pressure in the room was palpable, and he could feel the weight of leadership pressing down on him. He had to make a decision—continue with the half-truth, or let Ashley in on the darker details. But this wasn't just his decision. It involved Charlotte too, and she'd asked him to keep it quiet, at least for now.

"You'll have to talk to Charlotte about it," David finally said, shaking his head. "It's her story to tell, not mine."

Ashley frowned, her arms still crossed. "So, it's connected to her? To Anakin?"

David didn't answer directly. He couldn't. Instead, he shifted the conversation, hoping to move them forward. "We're picking her up in an hour. When we land on Draconis 427, we'll get the full team briefed. For now, we focus on the mission at hand. We've got to get to Anakin before Cerberus pushes him past the breaking point."

Ashley's expression softened slightly, though her worry hadn't entirely faded. She nodded, stepping back toward the door. "Yes, sir."

Before she left, she hesitated for a moment. "David... just be careful with whatever's going on here. Secrets have a way of tearing people apart."

David nodded, but he said nothing. Ashley left, the door sliding shut behind her with a soft hiss.

Alone in his office once more, David sat back down at his desk, his thoughts turning inward. Secrets. He'd kept his fair share, both as an officer and as a member of the Sheppard family. But this mission felt different. This wasn't just another operation; it was personal. Anakin wasn't just a soldier, or a target to be rescued. He is family. And Charlotte... Charlotte had lost so much already. If they didn't get this right, she might lose everything that was left.

ONE HOUR LATER

Commander David Sheppard leans back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as he processes Joker's words. The SSV Normandy glides through hyperspace, cutting through the subspace currents with ease, but the weight of their mission presses heavily on his mind. Annexing the Draconis Sector might be significant politically, but it's not their focus. Their mission lies beyond the Federation's expanding borders—in the unknown reaches of space, spanning a hundred galaxies, where Anakin Sheppard, his cousin, is being held by Cerberus.

The intercom crackles to life again, and Joker's familiar, sardonic voice fills the small space.

"Commander, we'll be exiting hyperspace in one minute. Also, heads up—the Federation just annexed the Draconis Sector. Figured you'd want to know."

David nods absently, already thinking ahead to their next steps. "Thanks, Joker. Once we're in range of the Hammond, beam her aboard."

"Aye, sir. One minute to exit."

David turns back to the holovid display, which he'd turned off a few moments earlier. His jaw clenches as the image of Anakin strapped to that cold, metallic slab flashes through his mind again. Cerberus has been conducting experiments on him for who knows how long, and no matter how many times David studies the footage, he can't shake the feeling that they're missing something—some small clue that could lead them to his exact location.

But time is running out. They've combed through system after system, searching dozens of galaxies already, and the list of places where Cerberus might be holding Anakin is dwindling. The Normandy's advanced stealth technology allows them to jump in and out of hyperspace without detection, but even that can't save them from the sheer vastness of space. A hundred galaxies is no small task, and every minute Anakin spends in Cerberus' hands brings him closer to the brink.

Ashley, still standing at the edge of his desk, clears her throat, bringing David back to the present. "Sir, if Cerberus has him in one of the outer galaxies, how long until they decide he's no longer useful? They're experimenting on him, but for what? To turn him into some kind of weapon?"

David's eyes narrow at the thought. "It's possible. But Anakin's not just a soldier. He's the heir to the royal family of Eldred. Cerberus knows his value—not just to the Federation, but to the entire Pegasus Galaxy. They could be using him for leverage or... worse."

Before Ashley can respond, the intercom clicks again.

"Exiting hyperspace in five… four… three… two… one."

The sudden deceleration as the Normandy drops out of hyperspace pulls David's attention to the viewport. The swirling blue tunnel of subspace disappears, replaced by the cold, endless expanse of space. Directly ahead, the glowing form of the TFS Hammond comes into view, its sleek hull gleaming under the distant starlight.

"Commander, we're in range for transport," Joker's voice comes through again, this time more serious. "Hammond's ready for the beam-up."

"Proceed," David orders.

The hum of the ship's transporter system vibrates through the walls as the Normandy locks onto the signal of the Federation vessel. David stands up, adjusting the collar of his uniform, his mind shifting focus. Charlotte Burke. Anakin's wife. She's been on a mission of her own, chasing down leads and volunteering for every dangerous assignment she could get her hands on. Now, their paths have converged. David hopes that bringing her aboard will offer a fresh perspective, or at least some emotional support as they hunt for her husband.

Ashley straightens up as well, her face showing a hint of tension. David catches it immediately and remembers their earlier conversation.

"Everything alright?" he asks, his tone softer than before.

Ashley's gaze drops for a moment before she meets his eyes. "It's complicated, sir. Charlotte and I—well, we were close once. But she's changed. After what happened with Anakin… I'm not sure if she's the same person anymore."

David nods, understanding the weight of her words. He knows Charlotte has been through hell. Losing her husband, watching him disappear into the hands of Cerberus—she's been running on anger and determination for too long. David can't blame her for it, but he also knows that kind of drive can be dangerous. It can lead people to make reckless decisions.

The door to his office slides open with a soft hiss, and Charlotte Burke steps in, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her bionic right arm, black and gleaming under the dim lighting, serves as a stark reminder of the battles she's fought and the losses she's endured. She glances at Ashley, her expression unreadable, before turning to David.

"Commander," Charlotte greets him, her voice steady, but there's a fire behind her eyes that David recognizes all too well.

"Sergeant Burke," David replies, nodding in acknowledgment. "Glad to have you aboard. We've just entered hyperspace heading to the Cerberus outpost within the hour."

Charlotte nods, her gaze flicking to the holovid display, which David had turned off earlier. She doesn't need to ask what he's been watching. She knows.

"Have we made any progress on pinpointing Anakin's location?" she asks, her voice betraying none of the emotion David knows she must be feeling.

"Not yet," David admits. "But we're close. MICA intercepted some Cerberus transmissions, and we're hoping the outpost on Osiris system has more data we can use."

Charlotte's jaw tightens, and for a moment, she looks as though she's about to say something, but she holds back. Instead, she simply nods.

David glances between her and Ashley, sensing the tension in the room. He knows they have history—good and bad—but now isn't the time to address it. There's too much at stake.

"Alright," he says, his tone shifting back to business. "We'll be landing in forty-five minutes. Joker will keep the Normandy cloaked while we move in. Our mission is simple—get in, gather intel, and get out. If we're lucky, we'll find something that points us to Anakin's exact location."

Charlotte's eyes narrow, her focus razor-sharp. "And if Cerberus is there?"

David doesn't hesitate. "We take them down. No loose ends."