OBSERVATION ROOM, TFS HAMMOND
DRACONIS 427, DRACONIS SECTOR
Charly stands at the observation deck of the TFS Hammond, her eyes fixed on the spectacle unfolding in space. The Supergate is nearing completion, its colossal frame being assembled piece by piece by hundreds of Federation drones. Each drone is a feat of engineering, six meters long, darting effortlessly in the vacuum as they weld the final plates into place. The construction ship Patrickson Toussaint, the orchestrator of this meticulous operation, hovers nearby, directing the process. Charly is mesmerized by the efficiency of it all.
The Supergate, a gateway designed to traverse galaxies, looms larger than any vessel in the fleet, even dwarfing the Hammond itself. It's a marvel of intergalactic engineering, but for Charly, it represents more than just a technological wonder. It's the key to going home. Or it should be. The thought gnaws at her—back in her home galaxy, there's no gate waiting on the other side. She reflects on the plan the scientists outlined, a risky venture involving a shuttle to the spatial rupture and a transdimensional beacon. They would build a Supergate on her side of the universe, just like this one. But the uncertainty lingers.
She feels a pang of melancholy. This universe had grown on her. The Tau'ri Federation, its people, their technology—it's different, yet oddly comforting. Her fingers brush against the desert wood digital fatigues she's wearing, the standard issue in this universe. No shoulder patches, though. She's not part of this military. It's a functional disguise, nothing more.
Her gaze shifts to a brief flash in the distance—something unfamiliar. A sleek ship, blinking in and out of hyperspace for just a moment, catching her off guard. Its design is unlike anything she's seen before, even among the advanced fleets of the Planetary Union.
"They must have beamed Charlotte up to that ship," she mutters, squinting at the fading afterimage.
The quiet swish of the door behind her snaps her out of her thoughts. She turns to see Ry'ac entering the room, his tall frame and calm demeanor instantly grounding her. His presence is a steady contrast to her more restless energy.
"Our ride is ready," Ry'ac says, his deep voice breaking the silence.
Charly arches an eyebrow. "What shuttle are we taking?"
Ry'ac chuckles softly, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Shuttle? We're not taking a shuttle."
She crosses her arms, intrigued. "Then what?"
Ry'ac steps closer, folding his arms casually. "We're taking the Bray'tac, a Constantine-class stealth frigate."
"A stealth frigate?" Charly tilts her head, processing this. "Why the extra firepower?"
Ry'ac's tone remains matter-of-fact. "Given what you've told us about your universe—the Moclans, the Krill, the Kaylon—taking precautions seems wise."
She nods, the thought of a stealth frigate replacing the usual shuttle piquing her interest. It's been a while since she's flown anything so tactically advanced.
"Also, the Ministry of State has appointed me as an ambassador," Ry'ac adds, his eyes meeting hers.
Charly's face lights up as she closes the gap between them, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight bear hug. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she asks, her voice muffled against his chest.
"I just found out," Ry'ac replies, his arms holding her gently. "General Carter informed me a few moments ago. She asked if I was rushing into this relationship."
Charly looks up at him, curious. "And what did you say?"
Ry'ac's gaze softens as he smiles at her. "I told her I've been with the Federation Marines since I was seventeen, and I turned down an arranged marriage from my parents to live the life I chose. This isn't something I'm rushing into."
Emotion wells up in Charly's chest, and she pulls him into another embrace, whispering, "I love you."
Ry'ac, towering over her petite frame, returns the sentiment with ease. "I love you too."
After a few quiet moments, Charly steps back, grinning. "So, what's the name of the frigate we're taking?"
"The SSV Bray'tac," Ry'ac says.
Charly's grin widens. "SSV? Stealth Surveillance Vessel?"
Ry'ac nods. "It's used by the Ministry of Intelligence and Military Intelligence and Counterespionage Agency. Special Operations Command built thousands of these vessels for covert missions across the Federation's territories."
Charly's mind races, the tactical possibilities of a stealth frigate exciting her. "And you said I'm going to love the captain?"
Ry'ac's smile turns knowing. "Commander John Lamar."
Charly's eyes widen in surprise. "The Chief Engineer from the Orville?" She laughs. "There's a John Lamar in my universe too. Won't the entropy affect him?"
Ry'ac raises his arm to reveal a sleek armband, its LCD display showing his vitals. "Our engineers developed this to counteract the entropic effects."
"Damn," Charly muses, impressed. "Your engineers are always a step ahead."
Ry'ac chuckles. "The Asgard AI helps."
They make their way to the Hammond's hangar deck, Charly's anticipation growing with every step. She's seen teleportation, hyperspace travel, even the mind-boggling technology of the Tau'ri Federation, but the Bray'tac is something different. Built for speed, stealth, and covert operations, it represents everything she loves about tactical spaceflight.
The Bray'tac's sleek design stands out even in the vast hangar. It's 170 meters long, 60 meters wide, with a mass of 3,900 metric tons. The frigate holds 52 crew members, along with a complement of 20 SPOC officers and marines. Its six decks are equipped with everything the crew needs, including food and material synthesizers, eliminating the need for traditional cargo.
As they approach, Charly's heart skips a beat. The ship's design is a far cry from the utilitarian vessels of the Planetary Union. It's built for purpose, every line and curve honed for maximum efficiency in both speed and stealth.
"Impressive, isn't she?" Ry'ac asks, watching her reaction.
Charly nods, her eyes wide. "Yeah. Impressive is an understatement. It's about the size of the Orville in my universe."
"Your Orville is what class?" Ry'ac inquires.
"Exploratory vessel," Charly replies, still marveling at the ship.
As they near the boarding ramp, Charly notices something peculiar about the Bray'tac. The ship seems to shimmer under the hangar lights, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
"Reactive camouflage?" she asks.
Ry'ac nods. "That, cloak, and phase-shifting. It also has shields and forcefields. Powered by a Neutrino Ion Generator, sublight engines, FTL engines, and two hyperspace window generators."
Charly's eyes widen further. "How are we going through the rupture if the Supergate isn't complete yet?"
A voice from behind answers her. "We'll be going down to the planet and entering the rupture directly," Commander John Lamar says, stepping into view. "We'll shoot Tetryon particles into the rupture to expand it and use a graviton beam to stabilize the opening long enough for us to pass through. Once we're in, we'll close it before it destabilizes."
Charly turns. "Sounds like fun."
Lamar smirks. "Always is."
Charly looks up at the voice and immediately recognizes the man striding toward them. Commander John Lamar, a man who, in her universe, is the Chief Engineer aboard the Orville, now commands a stealth frigate in this one. His easy smile and confident posture are unmistakable, and yet the gravitas he carries in this universe is something else entirely.
"John Lamar," Charly says, shaking her head with a grin. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Different universe, different life, I guess," Lamar shrugs, his smile broadening. "But it's good to see a familiar face, even if it's not exactly the same one."
Charly chuckles, feeling some of the tension ease. "I guess it's nice to see a familiar face too."
"When Federation Intelligence needs someone to fly a stealth frigate through a dimensional rupture, they call the best. And yeah, I got this ship running better than when it first rolled out of the shipyard."
"Looks like you've come a long way from fixing plasma conduits." Charly gestures at the sleek, black hull of the Bray'tac, still marveling at how the ship almost melts into the background. She can't shake the thought of how advanced and capable this ship is compared to anything the Union has.
"The tech here is something else," she muses aloud. "You've got reactive camouflage, phase-shifting, cloaks... What else are you hiding on this thing?"
Lamar's smile turns slightly mischievous. "Oh, you'll see. Let's just say, if someone's looking for us, they won't find us until it's too late."
Charly takes a breath, feeling both excitement and trepidation at the thought of heading into the unknown once again. The SSV Bray'tac is nothing like the exploratory vessels she's been aboard before. This ship is built for stealth, war, and subterfuge. It's a vessel designed to strike from the shadows and disappear without a trace. And they're heading into uncharted territory, with no idea what they might encounter on the other side of the rupture.
Ry'ac, who had been silent up until now, places a hand on her shoulder. "Charly. We've faced worse odds before. And we've got the best crew for this mission."
Charly looks up at him and nods. His confidence helps steady her nerves. She's seen firsthand what Ry'ac is capable of, and she knows he wouldn't let her walk into danger unprepared.
"Let's get aboard, then," she says, trying to mask her nervousness with determination. "I want to see what this ship can do."
Lamar leads them up the boarding ramp and into the sleek interior of the Bray'tac. The interior is stark and utilitarian, with black, matte walls and a low hum of energy flowing through the ship's systems. The lighting is dim, adding to the feeling that this ship was designed for stealth. Even the crew members they pass move with a quiet, deliberate precision, as though every action is carefully measured.
"Bridge is this way," Lamar says as they walk through the corridors.
As they make their way to the bridge, Charly can't help but notice how much more advanced everything seems compared to the ships she's used to. The displays on the walls flicker with streams of data, and the smooth hum of the ship's systems feels more refined than anything the Union has built.
"You've got a pretty impressive setup here," she comments, glancing at one of the control panels embedded in the wall. "Makes the Orville feel a little... outclassed."
"Hey, no need to throw shade at the Orville," Lamar grins, "but yeah, we've got some pretty cutting-edge stuff here. You'll see when we're in action."
They arrive on the bridge, and Charly takes a moment to absorb her surroundings. The layout is compact and efficient, with a central command chair flanked by two consoles and a panoramic view of the hanger bay beyond the forward screens. The tactical display shows a real-time holographic projection of the surrounding area, complete with ship positions and sensor readings.
Lamar steps forward and takes the captain's chair, gesturing for Charly and Ry'ac to stand nearby. "All right, here's the plan. We'll be heading down to the surface of Draconis 427, we'll deploy the Tetryon particle array to stabilize the rupture for entry. After that, we'll use the graviton beam to close the rupture behind us. We'll need to be quick."
Charly listens closely, her mind racing with the implications of what they're about to attempt. "And what happens if we don't close the rupture in time?" she asks.
Lamar's expression turns serious. "If the rupture stays open too long, it could cause massive instability in the surrounding space-time. Worst-case scenario, it could collapse the surrounding area into a singularity. So yeah... let's not let that happen."
"Noted," Charly says, feeling a chill run down her spine.
Ry'ac, ever the optimist, claps his hands together. "Then we'll just make sure we're fast enough."
Lamar gives a curt nod. "Exactly. We've run simulations, and everything checks out, but this is still uncharted territory. We'll be breaking new ground here."
The Bray'tac powers up, the hum of the engines growing louder as the ship prepares for takeoff. The steady vibration beneath their feet tells Charly that the ship is coming to life, and soon they'll be on their way.
"Buckle in," Lamar says. "It's going to be a fast ride."
Charly takes a seat at one of the auxiliary consoles, her fingers running over the unfamiliar controls as she tries to familiarize herself with the layout. The ship hums with energy, and she can feel the slight pressure of acceleration as they begin their descent toward the planet.
Ry'ac takes a seat next to her, his expression calm and focused. "Are you ready for this?" he asks.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replies, glancing at him with a small smile.
The descent is smooth, and Charly watches through the forward viewscreen as the barren surface of Draconis 427 comes into view. The planet is a desolate, rocky landscape, with jagged mountains and deep craters stretching out as far as the eye can see. The spatial rupture they're heading toward isn't visible yet, but she knows it's there, waiting for them.
"Approaching the rupture coordinates," one of the bridge officers reports.
"Prepare the Tetryon particle array," Lamar orders. "On my mark, we stabilize the rupture and make our entry."
Charly's heart races as the ship draws closer to the coordinates. She's done plenty of dangerous missions before, but this... this feels different. They're about to step into a tear in space-time, and there's no telling what awaits them on the other side.
The ship hovers just above the surface, and through the viewscreen, Charly sees a faint shimmer in the air, like a mirage. It's the rupture—barely visible, but there.
"Tetryon particle deployed," the officer announces.
"Fire," Lamar commands.
A pulse of energy shoots from the Bray'tac main cannon toward the rupture, and the shimmer intensifies, growing larger and more defined. The rupture begins to stabilize, its edges becoming more distinct.
"We've got a stable rupture," the officer confirms.
"Engage the graviton beam," Lamar orders.
The ship hums with power as the graviton beam fires, locking onto the rupture. The shimmering tear in space begins to expand, creating an entry point large enough for the Bray'tac to pass through.
"Rupture stable and ready for entry," the officer reports.
Lamar glances over at Charly and Ry'ac. "This is it. Once we're through, there's no turning back."
Charly takes a deep breath and nods. "Let's do it."
With a flick of a switch, Lamar engages the engines, and the Bray'tac surges forward, heading straight into the heart of the rupture. The viewscreen fills with a swirling vortex of energy as the ship is enveloped by the tear in space-time.
For a moment, everything is chaos. The ship rocks violently, and the lights flicker as they pass through the rupture. Charly grips the armrests of her chair, her heart pounding in her chest. She can feel the ship straining against the forces surrounding them, but Lamar keeps them steady, guiding them through the maelstrom.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the turbulence ceases. The viewscreen clears, revealing a vast expanse of space on the other side.
"We're through," Lamar announces, his voice filled with quiet triumph.
Charly exhales, her body relaxing as the tension drains away. They made it. They're in another universe, one step closer to her home.
"Now the real adventure begins," Ry'ac says with a grin.
Charly looks out at the stars beyond the viewscreen and nods. "Yeah... now it really begins."
He took another step closer to the dormant machine, its deep red core flickering faintly as though waking from a long slumber. The Illusive Man narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of something more than just mechanical in front of him. He knew the Reapers weren't just machines—they were something far beyond. And now, he was standing before one.
"You are not what you say you are," the Reaper continued, its voice devoid of inflection, yet dripping with an overwhelming sense of authority.
The Illusive Man arched an eyebrow. "Oh? What am I, then?"
A moment of silence passed, the red glow intensifying. "You hold captive the one who possesses the gene of our old enemy."
The Illusive Man's smirk faltered, curiosity gleaming in his pale blue eyes. "You're talking about Sheppard, aren't you?"
"Yes. Sheppard," the Reaper responded, the name echoing through the hangar with a strange sense of recognition. "Five families of Sheppard possess the gene of the Ancients—the creators, the ones who dared to defy us."
The Illusive Man's mind raced, though his face remained an impassive mask. "And how do you know about that?" he asked, his voice measured, probing.
There was a pause, as if the Reaper was considering how much it would reveal. "We remember. Our memories span cycles beyond your comprehension. The Ancients were formidable, but their arrogance was their downfall. Their genes carry the legacy of defiance. The Sheppards are the last remnants of that arrogance."
The Illusive Man inhaled his cigar again, exhaling slowly as he processed the information. He had suspected Sheppard's genetic lineage was important—vital, even—but this revelation confirmed his suspicions in a way he hadn't expected. The Sheppard family wasn't just tied to the history of the Ancients; they were the embodiment of a threat the Reapers still feared.
"And what do you want with the Sheppard bloodline now?" the Illusive Man asked, his voice steady. "Surely they're no threat to you anymore. The Ancients are long gone."
The Reaper's core pulsed once more, its voice lowering to a menacing tone. "Bloodlines persist. Power persists. The Sheppards are linked to the legacy of the Ancients, and as long as they live, they represent the possibility of resistance—resistance we will not allow."
The Illusive Man took one final drag of his cigar before flicking it to the ground, crushing it underfoot. His mind churned with the implications of what the Reaper was saying. If the Sheppards were indeed the key to something greater, then he had a bargaining chip of unparalleled value. He needed Sheppard alive—for now. And if the Reapers wanted him, there was leverage to be gained.
"You fear them," the Illusive Man said quietly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Even after all this time, the remnants of the Ancients still haunt you."
"We fear nothing," the Reaper corrected, its voice cold and absolute. "But we do not allow threats to exist. The Sheppards will be extinguished, just as their creators were. You, human, are but a speck in the grand cycle. You will fall too, in time."
The Illusive Man chuckled softly, his arrogance radiating with each word. "Maybe. But until then, I hold the cards." He turned his back on the Reaper, his mind already working through the next steps. "Sheppard stays with me. Let's see how this game plays out."
As he walked away, the red glow of the Reaper's core dimmed once more, its voice trailing after him like a death sentence yet to be delivered.
"You will lose, Illusive Man. The cycle always repeats."
The Illusive Man smiled to himself, disappearing into the shadows of the hangar. "Not if I break it first."