Chapter 35 - The Ancestors Return

TN:- Again sorry for the late posting but i work retail and you probably understand this time of year is very busy so just be a little patient and everything will be back to normal after the new year.

Just to answer a few reviews first.

1. Tylium is an early form of Naquadah before it crystallized with age as the colonials did find naquadah in its crystalline form but didn't realise what they had due to their limited energy production technology.

2. Someone asked why he made the story of their ancestors so widely known. Well the answer is that they plan to eventually travel to the other galaxies so there people would need to know the details to not be surprised when they get there as it would cause more problems with a surprise reveal than if he revealed the truth much sooner and have given them the time to process this revelation of their past before hand.

Lastly i realised with the last part of the previous chapter that i put 2003 instead of 2002 so it has been corrected and updated for those who have already read it before the change

ANS Legacy - Bridge - ET - Jan 2002

Leo was once again standing on the bridge of the Legacy as they prepared to drop out of hyperdrive in the next system on their list. They already knew it was safe as the scout ship reported the so 10 minutes ago that the system was uninhabited and the only planet with an atmosphere was barren.

"Sir, arrival in t-minus 2 minutes" said the helmsman as he prepared the ship to exit subspace.

Leo responded. "Very well prepare the ship for emergence to real space and prepare sensors for a system wide scan immediately."

"Yes, Sir" replied both the helmsman and the person in charge of sensors.

2 minutes later the peace of the once quiet system is broken by a tear in space and the emergence of 4 Ships who were later joined by another ship of similar size to the smallest of the 4. The small fleet slowly makes its way to the orbit of the biggest planet in the system before coming to a stop.

Aboard the ANS Legacy Leo starts giving orders to the officers under his command. "LT Williams, Have the sensors picked up anything of interest." Leo asked.

LT Williams responded. "There are some signs of vital resources in the asteroid belt and the 4th planet from the sun. The sensors have also picked up strange readings from the 5th planetoid which is the only planet with an atmosphere that's tolerable for humans."

Leo acted out the role of a contemplating captain before responding. "Helm, set course for the 5th planetoid and take up geosynchronous orbit for a full sensor scan." The crew went about their work as the small fleet made its way towards the designated planet.

Leo stood watching as the crew went about their duties and smiled at how well they were performing especially considering all the new systems they have installed on the ship. He hoped that the experience this crew picked up over the next few months would allow them to do the job when he eventually took the ship to the Pegasus galaxy after the next round of upgrades after they use the technology from the ship they will find on the planet.

He was just going over some plans in his head when he was interrupted by LT Williams. "Sir, We are picking up some strange energy readings from the northern hemisphere. From the readings where getting the output is about the same as a Gunstar running at 120%."

Leo nodded then once again played the part of the contemplating commander before saying. "Prepare a landing party with full security detail to scout the area and have a wing of vipers fly cover."

"Yes, Sir" Was the response he heard from several of the officers as they went about fulfilling his orders.

It was 20 minutes later when several raptors left the ship from the port side hanger entrance and were joined by a dozen vipers as they entered the atmosphere and made their way to a large continent in the northern hemisphere of the planet. The small craft were making their way towards what appeared to be a small mountain range towards the eastern side of the continent. It took the craft 10 minutes to land within walking distance of the location that was giving off the strange energy readings, they collected their equipment from the craft before gathering as a single group while the security team swept the area for any threats but the wildlife and fauna were non-existent.

Sgt Henderson was a 23 year old and was leading the protection detail that was responsible for the safety of the scientists. Not 6 months ago he graduated as a non-commissioned officer from the Spartan Military Academy and was due to return when they returned after completing their mission to start his training to become a commissioned officer.

He had just received the last report from his squad before deciding that it was safe to move out. "The coast is clear and it's safe to move out." He addressed the leading scientist of the group he was escorting. "We will move towards the location of the strange readings with my team surrounding yours. I know it's not ideal but we don't know what types of strange animals might have evolved on this planet given its harsh environment."

The lead scientists huffed but agreed with the Sgt reluctantly. "I guess we don't have a choice so let's get moving already." He commented rather impatiently.

He didn't take the comment to heart and started to give out orders to his team as the scientists picked up their equipment and gathered in the centre of their escort. The leader of the group confirmed the direction they needed to take and then started out on the journey of discovery that all scientists crave.

It took them a better part of 3 hours to reach the lower slope of the small mountain range that ran for about 6 miles from north east to south west. The scientists were glad to not have to walk any further and all but collapsed where they were as the Spartan detail secured the area for their base camp of sorts. Some would ask why they didn't land the raptors here but as the raptors originally descended to the area their instruments started to malfunction beyond safety margins so it was decided to land further away.

The lead scientist was organising his team to set up portable scanners and other instruments while tents were erected and a fire was started using some of the gear brought with them. They planned to have some food before they started exploring the area for whatever was giving of the readings.

Orbit Of The 5th Planet - ANS Legacy - 6 Hours Later

Back in orbit Leo was waiting patiently on the bridge of the ANS Legacy after he had sent to the other ships to continue to scan the system for any other interesting readings as well as cataloguing the locations of some of the more crucial resources needed.

He was just thinking about going to his quarters when there was an alert from the comm's panel of the display table. He picked up the headset and answered the hail. "This is Legacy actual, confirm identity."

"Legacy actual this is Doctor Reacher, I think you should come planet side and take a look at what we have found." Was the response he received to his challenge.

"Very well Doctor i will meet you at base camp in a little over 3 hours, Legacy Actual out." Leo replied before putting the handset back and leaving the bridge to make his way down towards the hanger deck.

Leo entered the hanger deck from the pilots changing rooms after changing out of his uniform for a flight suit and grabbing one of the spare helmets from the store room. He walked over to the deck chief and asked. "Chief, Do you have any raptors ready to go?"

The deck chief turned towards Leo and answered. "Yeh we do sir, the one over there is ready to go, you just need to sign it out and clear it with control."

Leo didn't take the disrespect too seriously as after the last month or so he knew the chief didn't do everything by the book but got the job done which is all Leo cared about. So he just nodded and got everything squared away before getting in the raptor and starting pre flight.

He was just getting ready to seal the hatch when he saw a deckhand running over. "Sir, Doctor Reacher asked for this equipment to be sent down immediately and figured we would save on the use of another raptor if it went down with you."

Leo smiled and answered. "That's good thinking, What is it?"

The deck hand replied. "It's one the new laser drills developed for the survey teams and a few extra battery packs."

Leo nodded and took the heavy case from the deck hand and said. "Thanks, I would get back to work or the chief will chew you a new one." The deck hand ran off as if the hounds of hell were chasing him.

Base Camp - 3 hours later

Leo was just walking into base camp with the 2 Spartans sent to escort him from the landing site when the chief scientist ran up to him and took the heavy case with the equipment he asked for and was about to run away when he turned his head back and said. "I suppose you should follow me."

He shook his head and decided just to follow the good doctor to where ever he was going. It took them a good 10 minutes to get to an entrance of what looked like a natural cave system where they met the other scientists and the rest of the Spartan team along with the Sgt being as vigilant now as they were when they first got here.

Sgt Henderson walked over to Leo as he arrived and filled him in on the security situation and what they have found in the area in terms of wildlife. Leo was just about to say something when Doctor Reacher shouted. "I didn't ask you to come down here to talk to him." Leo gave him a look and he realised how he sounded. "Sorry, It's just that what we have found is game changing. Now if you want to see what we have found, follow me and I'll show you the future."

Leo just shrugged at the Sgt and followed the doctor into the cave system and thought about what the descended had left them as Aries didn't make it all that clear about what tech and resources they were going to allow them to reverse engineer.

It was about 5 minutes later that they reached an opening of a large cavern that was lit up with the field lights that the research group brought with them. What drew his attention though was the other end of the cavern as it looked like a wall but with the lights you could see that it was metallic and given how smooth the surface looked it looked man made.

The doctor was almost giddy when he started to explain what they were looking at. "I see you have noticed what has us excited." Leo nodded as the doctor continued. "Well what we know so far is that it is several 10's of thousands of years old and the metal is something we have never seen before and is tougher than anything we can produce."

Leo just listened and nodded when the doctor started to explain what this could mean for the development of their people. What got the doctor really excited was that if the outside of whatever this was is this advanced then what could they find inside.

"I take it, that's why you asked for the laser drill." Leo asked and the doctor nodded in response. "But if this new metal is so tough, how is anything we made going to breach it?" He asked.

The doctor just seemed to stop and deflate as he thought about what he just said. Leo decided to give him some hope. "Have you tried to find a door or entrance as if it's as advanced as you think surely they would have some way to enter."

The doctor's head shot up so fast that Leo could have sworn he heard a cracking sound. "That's a brilliant idea, Why didn't I think of it." He then left him standing there and started shouting at his team to map the area and find an entrance into the structure.

Base Camp - 2 Days Later.

It took the better part of 2 days to map the rest of the cave system that seemed to surround a large cigar shaped structure that has now been deemed a ship and a rather large one at that. Leo had decided to remain planet side during that time and upon realising it was a ship had sent the corvette ANS Ghost back to Altera to request the aid of a fleet tender and some tugs.

It was during the last few Caves and tunnels that they were mapping that they came across both an airlock and what appeared to be a landing bay for small craft. They decided it was best to force entrance at the airlock rather than damage whatever landing bay there is and complicate any chance of getting the ship into orbit later.

Leo found himself once again following doctor Reacher through the tunnels of this barren world as they made their way towards the airlock that they had found not long ago. "Well doctor have you made any progress with bypassing the locks on the door?"

The doctor didn't look pleased at being asked that question but answered anyway. "No, we haven't made any progress. As you can imagine an airlock to the void of space is a rather important thing so has a large amount of security and redundancies in place to stop it being opened at the smallest of trouble."

Leo nodded and continued to follow along in silence as he figured that he wasn't going to get any helpful information from the irritated doctor. They walked for the better part of an hour before they came to a dead end.

They approached the scientists that were gathered around what looked to be an airlock but was more flawless in design than any he has seen before as the doors melded with the rest of the ships armour surrounding it than the designs that the current Alterans use. What seemed more strange was what looked like the controls for the door was a rectangular console with three crystals one above another. On looking close he could see any markings to differentiate one crystal from another.

Leo walked up to the airlock and thinking about what he was told and trying not to look suspiciously knowledgeable about what to do he started to look around the door before waving his hand in front of the crystals. The second he did there was a hissing sound that brought everyone to a stop and then the doors split apart opening the way inside.

The Spartans that were guarding the area raised their weapons when the doors opened but when nothing came out they relaxed a little but maintained a heightened sense of alert until they confirmed that there was no threat inside the ship.

Leo gathered the science team and a few Spartans including the Sgt and they slowly made their way inside the ship. They were surprised by how advanced everything looked as they made progress down the corridors and as the lights turned on all by themselves. The group progressed with two Spartans taking point and another two bringing up the rear making sure they dont get caught from behind while making their way through this strange ship.

They just approached what looked like another air tight door when it opened automatically as they approached and what shocked them the most was that when they entered the next corridor they saw the last thing they would have expected. The corridor was lined on both sides with what looked like coffins but the people inside still looked healthy and living just sleeping. They started to count how many there were but there was no end to them so they kept exploring and hoping they were making their way towards some sort of command centre.

A couple hours passed with them moving from corridor to corridor with the odd storeroom and they all were filled with these strange pods with sleeping people within. They finally made it to what looked like a bridge as the room was rather large with screens and seats on the outside and what looked like a commander's chair in the centre.

Leo walked in with the rest and walked over to the chair and looked to see if he could see any controls but all he saw was some gel like pads where the hands would be but apart from that nothing else. He decided to sit down and see what it felt like to be in command of a ship like this, the moment his ass hit the seat the whole ship came to life and strange noises came from the door on the other end of the room.

The whole group was looking at all the lit up consoles and screens when the other door opened and in walked a man dressed the same as the rest of the people in the strange pods.

The man who walked in stopped as the Spartans raised their weapons and pointed them at him. He looked at them then spoke in what appeared to be Caprican dialect. "Welcome, I am Councillor Aries of the Alteran People and may I ask why you're aboard my ship?" His question was followed by nothing but silence.