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    Go to the very first page. From there you can navigate all the episodes I think.
    Check out my music on Youtube and iCompositions.com

    http://www.youtube.com/user/phildebrand2http://www.icompositions.com/artists/olympus/
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    Enjoy!

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      Thanks a bunch. I didn't notice that.

      Comment


        Wow, I almost forgot about this. The wife was doing a sg1 marathon (just started s9) and thought I would drop by and see how things are going.

        God I missed this continuation. Would love to see more of the Atlantis and universe ones, if he ever has time and remembers this project of his.

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          I wish it would keep going, but I think it is not continuing.
          Check out my music on Youtube and iCompositions.com

          http://www.youtube.com/user/phildebrand2http://www.icompositions.com/artists/olympus/
          sigpic

          Enjoy!

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            Hum, Some news maybe ?
            Sorry if my english language is bad ,it's beacause i'm a french

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              Originally posted by RickWesten View Post
              Hum, Some news maybe ?
              The latest post was last year and even back then S09 was hardly active for weeks.

              It's safe to say that it's not continuing. However, SG1 Continued is finished so...

              Comment


                3x05 "Flotilla"
                Synopsis: Rush and Eli locate the Novan evacuation fleet, but the crew is divided when Colonel Young risks Destiny to aid the refugees.
                Spoiler:
                Spoiler:
                FADE IN:
                SCENE:
                We see Destiny flying through FTL, arching by overhead before continuing on its path to the edge of the universe.

                RUSH: Over a million years ago, the Ancients discovered a complex structure buried deep within the background radiation of the universe: the fingerprints of an intelligence that existed very near the beginning of time itself.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                RUSH stands in the Destiny gate room speaking to the assembled crew. His eyes shine with determination. The others look on with interest, listening to what he has to say despite their own reservations.

                RUSH: Destiny was launched in search of that intelligence.

                FADE TO:
                SCENE:
                A group of DRONES attacks Destiny from all angles, pelting the shields and swarming around its point-defense guns.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                ELI, SCOTT, and WRAY stand in the wreckage of a TENARAN offworld colony. The DRONES have attacked and destroyed the area, and the NOVANS wonder what could have brought such a menace upon them.

                WALLACE: A mechanical army of drones, programmed to seek out and destroy all technology foreign to them.

                WRAY: They were built to win a war between two alien races in this galaxy, and when the war was over, the weapons were left behind.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                The away team stranded on the TENERAN colony tries to figure out how the DRONES could have found them. Suddenly, ELI has a realization.

                WALLACE: An active gate is a massive sub-space event. They must have found a way to detect it from long range.

                FADE TO:
                SCENE:
                A massive group of DRONES heads toward Destiny while their command ship maneuvers between the Ancient vessel and the nearby star. The machines open fire the second they’re in range, pummeling Destiny with plasma fire. On the bridge, GREER fires the weapons system and glances at the display.

                GREER: It’s a blockade!

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                ELI and RUSH are in the control interface room showing a hologram to YOUNG and WRAY. The display shows hundreds of approaching stars and stargates... and the countless DRONE ships orbiting every single one.

                RUSH: As far as we can tell, they’re waiting at every gate between here and the edge of the galaxy.

                FADE TO:
                SCENE:
                As battle erupts outside, JAMES mans one of the bridge’s weapons consoles and stares in terror at the display.

                JAMES: Sir, we've got another problem…

                VOLKER: It’s the aliens from the other galaxy.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                A group of FOLLOWERS stand in a control room on one of their ships. One of them looks up and directly at the camera.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                SCOTT, GREER, and other soldiers surround CHLOE in the control interface room. She’s just activated the communications array and sent a message, and she’s desperate to explain why she did it before GREER is forced to execute her.

                CHLOE: Look, the aliens who took me--they followed us to this galaxy. They've been looking for us ever since. Now they know where we are.

                CUT TO:
                SCENE:
                Walking down a corridor, RUSH and WRAY discuss CHLOE’s situation and their only real option; to turn her over to the aliens.

                WRAY: For all we know, they’re going to download every scrap of information she has about Destiny the second they get her onboard.

                RUSH: With Chloe back to normal, the odds of them ever tracking us again are virtually nil. Then it doesn't matter what they discover about the ship.

                WRAY: Yeah, assuming they honor the deal.

                RUSH: Well, they've no point in keeping her. If she begins to change again, we’ll soon know, won’t we?

                FADE TO:
                SCENE:
                RUSH sits on a bed in the infirmary where CHLOE is recovering from her ordeal. He flips through a notebook in which she’s scribbled precise FTL calculations, impressed.

                RUSH: Obviously they haven’t wiped your memory. You managed to retain some of the knowledge you gained. I should think that’s a good thing.

                ARMSTRONG: Because I can still be useful.

                RUSH: Everyone on this ship is useful. We all belong here.

                FADE TO:
                SCENE:
                RUSH again stands in the Destiny gate room to speak to the crew. Tears of passion are in his eyes, and he looks out at his fellow shipmates hopefully.

                RUSH: I believe this journey is the reason I’m here, but I can’t hope to do it alone. I ask you to come with me.

                FADE OUT:

                ((Recap of selected scenes from “Twin Destinies,” “Common Descent,” “Epilogue,” “Alone, Part 1,” and “Alone, Part 2”))

                On the bridge, Colonel Everett Young stares thoughtfully at a hologram hanging over the center console. It shows several hundred blue points of light moving slowly in a long formation, while a white light representing Destiny sits far out of the way. Standing nearby are Dr. Nicholas Rush and Camille Wray, representing the interests of crew’s scientists and civilians, respectively. Looking up, Young asks for confirmation that this is really what he thinks it is; the Novan evacuation fleet that fled Novus in its dying days (“Epilogue”). Rush nods, explaining that Eli’s study of their Testament during his two week attempt to repair his damaged stasis pod (“Alone, Part 1”) yielded some interesting data. Among it were the technical schematics of the ships the Novans left in, including their average speed and other statistics, alongside their date of departure. They already had the eventual destination (“Blockade”), so it wasn't difficult for him to piece together their approximate location today.

                Taking a seat at the console, Rush says that they’re holding position outside the Novans' relatively-limited sensor range so as not to alarm them. Their Ancient systems are far more powerful, and he’s already running basic scans on the closest vessels. What he called Young and Wray for, though, is what else their sensors detected. Hitting a button, he pulls back the hologram to show more of the area, toward the edge of which sits a blinking red dot. That, Rush explains, is a drone command ship, one of hundreds they've been tracking continuously for months now (“Alone, Part 2”). It’s in orbit over a nearby planet that the Novan fleet will reach in three days’ time and seems to have been there for some time. If it’s not gone when the evacuees arrive, things could go very, very badly for them. Caught off-guard, Everett and Camille exchange worried glances.

                In the mess hall, it’s clear that no one knows exactly why they've stopped and where the three chief personnel have gone. Eating lunch with Drs. Adam Brody and Dale Volker, Eli Wallace mentions that he was doing some work in the control interface room just before they dropped out of FTL. Rush checked his instruments and immediately disabled all sensor feeds save those on the bridge, then radioed Young and told Eli he’d explain later. It’s certainly suspicious, but the Colonel’s since issued orders OKing the censure. Picking at his gruel, Volker just shrugs and says that he trusts Young to make the right call. If he and Wray think Rush is right to be concerned about something, he’s not going to cause a ruckus about it. Brody's inclined to agree, but Eli’s less certain. He doesn't like being shut out of the decision-making process, but he supposes it’s not his place to get involved. For now, anyway.

                Across the ship, Lt. Tamara Johansen is sending her latest patient back to her quarters with a few medicinals to relieve some back pain. After sealing the infirmary door, she collapses gratefully into a chair and picks at her own lunch, suddenly realizing her appetite. One of the crewmen helping her sits nearby, noting that she hasn't been eating right for a couple weeks now. Truth be told, he was going to say something if T.J. didn't get a good meal in soon. But their latest few harvests have been fairly poor and equally unappetizing, so maybe he can’t blame her for not wanting too much of it. Tamara just laughs, thanking him for the interest and promising that she’ll work on getting down to the mess more often. It’s just that she’s been so distracted since they found that second “impossible planet” (“Nod”), she really hasn't been able to focus on much of anything.

                Opening up, T.J. starts to explain what she thinks she saw while inside the obelisk, then stops short. Well-meaning as her assistant is, he’ll react the same way Colonel Young did when he heard the news. Everyone knows how she’s mourned her apparent miscarriage (“Intervention”), and claiming she saw Eden (“Faith”), their lost and supposedly dead crewmates (“Visitation”), and her miscarried daughter alive and well will only sound crazed. Especially should it come to light that Tamara may have been responsible for the obelisk’s activation and the subsequent disabling of Destiny. That kind of reckless action will only drive the crew away, and she can’t have people fearing their only medical officer. So she decides to stay quiet instead, smiling politely and turning back to her food.

                Back on the bridge, Wray asks if they could just warn the Novans to alter their course and avoid the drones altogether. Having switched to another console, Rush says that it’s not that simple; the schematics reveal that many of the evacuation vessels have had their controls slaved to a select few lead ships. It was a measure intended to ease formations and speed deployment with the clock ticking toward their homeworld's destruction, but it also makes it difficult for the fleet to change course with any semblance of coordination. In any event, that brings him to his next concern. While he knows everyone aboard will want to contact their descendants and reconnect with the Novans, he doesn't think it’s advisable. In fact, he believes they should do everything they can to avoid interaction and be on their way to Novus as soon as possible. He plotted the course here because it was popular, but the more he’s thought about it, the more he wishes they’d just steered clear.

                Rolling his eyes, Young says that just because Rush didn't contribute anything to the Novan gene pool doesn't mean they’re not worth helping. The doctor’s serious, though, pointing out that trouble tends to follow Destiny and that the evacuation ships aren't built for more than light combat. Should their intervention attract the drones or Followers, the refugees wouldn't stand a chance. Wray begins to argue that they’re going to run into the drones anyway, but the command ship could leave before they arrive. Rush doesn't see point in endangering Destiny and all their lives when there may not even be cause for alarm. And as for contacting the Novans, they have a timetable to keep with Earth. Looking pointedly at Young, he reminds the Colonel that Homeworld Command is setting things in motion for their attempt to resupply the crew (“Recruitment”). They can’t put that on hold indefinitely.

                Sighing, Young admits he’s made a few good points. That said, he agrees with Camille that they can’t just ignore the Novans' plight. These are their descendants and their predicament is at least partially their fault for choosing to settle on the doomed planet in the first place. Shutting down the holoprojector, he says they should inform the crew and get their feedback before making a decision either way. He radios Lt. Matthew Scott and tells he and Sgt. Ronald Greer to assemble everyone in the gate room, then opens the bridge door and heads out himself. Wray motions for Rush to go ahead and the two follow.


                (Beginning of "Flotilla," see next three posts for conclusion.)
                Click the banner or episode links to visit the virtual continuations of Stargate!
                Previous Episode: 11x03 "Shore Leave" | Previous Episode: 6x04 "Nightfall" | Now Airing: 3x06 "Eldest"

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                  (More of "Flotilla," see previous post for beginning and next two posts for conclusion.)

                  Spoiler:
                  The crew’s gathered in the gate room a short time later, mingling about and catching up to pass the time. Toward the entrance, T.J. catches Chloe Armstrong’s eye and waves her over, mentioning that it’s been a while since she stopped to chat. Smiling apologetically, Chloe explains that she’s been busy with course adjustments on the bridge, presumably in relation to why they've dropped out and held position without explanation. In any event, T.J. wanted to ask how her shoulder’s been since her injury helping people return from an offworld harvest (“Recruitment”). That alien creature had a pretty nasty bite, but Chloe never did stop by the infirmary for a check-up after Tamara’s initial look at it.

                  Chloe, of course, can’t tell the truth--that her wound healed virtually overnight, same as when the Followers modified her in an attempt to sabotage Destiny from within (“Intervention”). Instead she says it’s healing fine, promising to come by if anything changes. T.J. looks like she wants to know more, but she’s cut off by Young’s sudden arrival. He takes position at the top of the staircase, Rush and Wray close behind, and calls for everyone’s attention. First and foremost, the Colonel apologizes for keeping them all in the dark and pulling them away from their work. Glancing behind him, he says that Dr. Rush has been using the information they obtained from Novus to do some calculations and run some numbers, and their latest FTL drop-out was indeed significant. He pauses for a moment to let that sink in, then reveals that they’re holding position just outside sensor range of the Novan evacuees.

                  The room immediately erupts into conversation, even Scott and the other soldiers forgetting their job to keep order and relative quiet so the Colonel can finish. Young lets them go for a moment before calling them to order, explaining that there’s a slight wrinkle and detailing the nearby done command vessel. Without naming Rush, he says that there’s been some concern that intervening on the Novans' behalf may go badly for them, but stresses that he wants the crew’s input before he does anything. Everyone tries shouting their thoughts at once, leading to another loud clamor before the soldiers get hold of themselves and quiet the room once more. Seeing that there are a lot of strong feelings on the subject, Young suggests they come to the command staff personally and voice their opinion. Checking his watch, he says that should the drones hold position, they’ll detect the Novans’ presence in two days. They have until then to help him decide.

                  Having left the gate room, Brody and Volker are helping Dr. Lisa Park into her seat in the control interface room. Though still blind (“Blockade”), she’s made enormous strides in returning to some semblance of normal life. A few crewmembers built a program to let her interact with the ship’s systems and run programs verbally, slowing her down but otherwise letting her get back to work. Sick of being cooped up in her quarters, she’s finally decided to try working with others again, and Volker can’t contain his excitement. Park is all business, though, wondering what Young will ultimately decide to do about the drones and Novans. While she has no love for the machines (their attack, after all, indirectly caused her blindness), she spoke with Eli about what he learned during his two weeks alone. If they really do prioritize their targets based on what they perceive to be their greatest threat (“Alone, Part 2”), fighting them again only risks another round of star and stargate blockades.

                  Taking the seat across from her, Volker isn't so sure. The Followers did a number on them opening a star for Destiny to recharge (“Alone, Part 2”), destroying at least a dozen command ships in less than a day. He can’t imagine the machines would decide that they’re a more tempting target because they knocked out a lone one sitting in the middle of nowhere, not with the Followers still chasing them and no doubt clashing with the drones on a regular basis. And even if they did, they know now that the aliens are willing to sacrifice themselves to ensure Destiny’s survival in the hope of capturing it in the long-term. So why not take the risk and let them open up another star if it results in a new blockade? Brody doesn't think his logic’s particularly sound, but then again, he never would have guessed the Followers would act on their behalf before. Who knows?

                  Rush and Young are discussing exactly that on the bridge when Eli appears in the doorway, still clearly annoyed at having been let in on the secret along with everyone else. Especially considering it was his work Rush used to figure out the Novans' location in the first place. Sitting in the pilot’s seat, Scott pretends not to hear that last bit. In any case, he asks the Colonel if he would really just abandon their descendants so casually for their own self-interest. Those people spent 2000 years building a civilization greater even than Earth, then outdid their ancestors by going above and beyond any feat of engineering they accomplished on their own. They deserve a better end than they’d get if the drones catch them, and Eli believes they can give that to them.

                  Leaning against one of the consoles, Rush said he was wondering when Eli would show up to argue exactly that. But he believes they need to be cautious about this; though the alternate Destiny (“Twin Destinies”) gave them the parts they needed to repair most of the damage the drones originally inflicted (“Resurgence”), the ship’s still in rough shape. Furthermore, their reserves are only at 65% capacity and the nearest yellow star is too far to recharge and return in time to head off the Novans' arrival. Even if they engaged the command ship, there’s no guarantee they’d be successful. Worse, they’d need to jam its communications immediately and destroy it before the machines could break through. Otherwise they’ll just sound the alarm and an entire fleet will come screaming down on them, and then the refugees really won’t have any chance at all. It makes far more sense to hope the drones leave on their own and be on their way to Novus before they make things worse for themselves or the evacuees. Eli can’t believe he’d be so callous, prompting Rush to snap that it was exactly this kind of “Eli in his moral superiority knows best” attitude that nearly killed them all when he convinced Young to try dialing from within a star over his objections (“Twin Destinies”).

                  Young snaps at Rush for going too far, but Rush stands by what he said. Eli has a brilliant scientific mind, but he’s not a trained scientist nor strategist nor experienced member of the Stargate Program. He has a tendency to let his idealism get the better of him and dismiss any objections Rush may have simply because of his commitment to Destiny’s Ancient mission. He’s not just speaking out of concern for the vessel in this case but because he honestly believes their near-escapes from the drones in the past illustrate the danger in charging headlong into a fight. Eli still thinks they should help the Novans all the same, and tells Young that he hopes he’ll make the right call before returning to his quarters. Watching him leave, Scott catches his commander’s eye and mentions the U.S. military’s principle of never leaving anyone behind. Ignoring Rush’s exaggerated sigh, he thinks it over thoughtfully.

                  A few hours later, Wray sits on the observation deck going over her most recent psychological evaluations. Sipping her coffee, she sifts through an airman’s file and makes a note to schedule a follow-up appointment sometime soon. Then she hears someone behind her and turns to see Young pouring himself a glass of alcohol from Brody’s still. He asks if he’s intruding but she just clears away her work and motions for him to take a seat. Picking up her watch, she notes that it’s long-past midnight. Young takes a drink and says that he couldn't sleep knowing the lives of millions of people may depend on his decision. They have a tendency to get so caught up on finding a way home or just surviving that he sometimes forgets there are other angles to consider. And while he can’t argue with Rush that it’d be dicey, what Scott and Eli said on the bridge affected him. He’s not sure he can adopt such a focus on getting home that he can comfortably abandon who he is and the responsibilities he has.

                  Looking him over, Camille points out that his primary responsibilities are those dictated by Stargate Command and the Pentagon. In this case, those include further investigation of [I[Destiny[/I] and securing a reliable lifeline back to Earth. Rush is right that helping the Novans puts those goals in jeopardy and risks everything for people he has no obligation to assist. But she can’t sleep for much the same reason; the idea of leaving the refugees to their fate and just hoping things work out seems cruel when they could intervene. Still, there’s a chance that things would go wrong even if they destroyed the command ship. What if the machines sent reinforcements to investigate what happened? They’d still find the Novans and there’s no way Destiny could fight off a whole fleet on its own. And they’d be left with whatever damage they sustained in the attempt and the knowledge that their actions doomed their descendants to certain death. It’s not an easy call to make.

                  Seeing he’s torn, Wray asks which way he’s leaning so far. In all honesty, Everett’s not sure. He’s heard from dozens of people and they all seem equally divided and equally certain their position is the right one. He has Rush and Eli working through the night assembling competing scenarios for his consideration, but he doesn't think they’ll help much. It looks like a 50/50 split, though everyone wary of intervention still feels that it’s the right thing to do. Draining his cup, he says he has a long night of thinking ahead of him, and he doesn't see it getting any easier come morning. When Rush first told him he’d found the Novans, he was overjoyed. These people are their descendants, and many of them regard him as their own George Washington. Abandoning them does feel wrong, however Rush might try to dismiss it. Wishing Camille a good night, he claps her on the shoulder and leaves.

                  The crew returns to work the next morning without any word of Young’s decision even as just 24 hours remain before the Novans won’t have a choice but to engage the drones. On the bridge, Eli’s enlisted Chloe in plotting potential attack vectors should they decide to take action. She’s run several simulations on where and how they could drop out of FTL to try and even the odds against the command ship, knowing that the engines will require a three hour cooldown even if the approach jump takes less than one. They’re keeping pace with the evacuation fleet, but it doesn't look like they’d have time to reach and defeat the drones before the machines would detect the inbound fleet. If they were to escape or send a signal, that would be the end. Eli thinks it’s better to give themselves the best possible chance of victory even if it leaves them a sitting duck for a few hours afterwards.

                  Peering at the console over Chloe’s shoulder, he says he’s impressed at how good she’s gotten at tweaking the ship’s navigational system. While he’s sure her Political Science degree was useful on Earth, there’s no denying her Follower-endowed computer skills are much better suited to life on Destiny. She doesn't think it’s too impressive but grins all the same. Then she jumps, recoiling when Eli squeezes her shoulder to show his support.
                  Click the banner or episode links to visit the virtual continuations of Stargate!
                  Previous Episode: 11x03 "Shore Leave" | Previous Episode: 6x04 "Nightfall" | Now Airing: 3x06 "Eldest"

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                    (More of "Flotilla," see previous two posts for beginning and next post for conclusion.)

                    Spoiler:
                    Horrified, Eli asks if he hurt her, remembering too late that her alien injury may not have healed just yet. Though he grabbed the right one, Chloe lies and says it was the other arm that was bitten, unwilling to reveal the true source of her discomfort. She remembers all too well her long quarantine the last time the Followers tampered with her, and she’s still too afraid to come clean now, even to Eli. She insists that it’s nothing and points to the console, refocusing him on the task at hand and away from the truth.

                    A few levels down, Scott and Greer are leaving a morning meeting with the ship’s military personnel. The latter’s still concerned about using their remaining Lucian Alliance soldiers so casually, unsure the former’s decision to award Varro a solitary patrol was a wise one. He remembers Simeon all too well (“Malice”), though he supposes the survivors have proven themselves trustworthy. Scott reminds him that Varro nearly died getting all of them out of the subterranean facility on Novus (“Epilogue”) and says that he doesn't have a problem putting his life in his hands a second time. Besides, Homeworld Command’s considered recalling them to Earth if they can make a connection, getting them off the ship and into Pentagon custody. They may have shown their worth to the crew, but their superiors back home don’t like having enemy operatives working on such a critical project.

                    Rounding a corner, they find Young coming their way and ask what’s going on. The Colonel tells them that he spent most of the night staring at his ceiling, but he’s made his decision. They’ll hear it once he gets to the bridge and can put it over the shipwide intercom. The two soldiers promptly turn and follow behind him, eager to hear what he has to say.

                    All the interested parties are waiting on the bridge, Rush, Brody, and Volker on one side and Eli and Chloe on another. Camille stands toward the center, giving the holographic representation of the evacuation fleet a long look. They all look up when Young enters, though he holds up a hand to stop the immediate clamor. He’s made up his mind and that’s that. Sitting at the command chair, he thumbs on the intercom and asks for the crew’s attention. He begins by thanking all of them for their input, support he found invaluable in his attempt to determine the appropriate course of action. That said, there can only be one next step and he’s made his choice; Destiny will attempt to destroy the drone command ship before the Novan fleet enters sensor range, hopefully sparing their descendants an ugly encounter with a relentless foe. Eli whoops in delight, but Wray seems uncertain and Rush just leaves the bridge.

                    Some time later, final preparations are being made for the FTL jump to the drone’s location. Rush has yet to return to the bridge, preferring to do his preliminary work from the control interface room with Dr. Amanda Perry. Eli isn't concerned, just happy that they won’t be leaving the Novans to a potentially disastrous fate. He, Chloe, and Brody are onhand to monitor various systems during the jump and subsequent battle while Scott flies the ship and Greer, Lt. Vanessa James, and two others man the weapons. Brody still thinks this could end badly, wondering aloud if Young’s letting the Tenarans' perception of him color his judgment. The soldiers all jump to their commander’s defense, arguing that he would never put vanity before responsibility. He would have doubtless made the same decision were the evacuation fleet full of Rush-adoring Futurans.

                    It’s then that the Colonel returns, with Rush close behind him giving last-minute advice on power distribution and patterns of attack. Eli seems surprised that Rush is so forthcoming despite having lost the argument over whether to aid the Novans, but he nonetheless clears some of Chloe’s paperwork off a nearby seat so he can take a console himself. Running through a final checklist, Scott remarks that they’re as prepared as they’ll ever be. They can leave at any time. Nodding, Young again thumbs the intercom and asks for the crew’s attention. He asks that they stay at their designated stations until the battle is finished and reminds them that their power reserves have dropped to just over 60%. In the event of localized shield failure, he asks them to radio the response teams he’s stationed around the ship and evacuate the area.

                    Muting the intercom a moment, he asks Eli if he was able to finish the side project he’d assigned him. Everyone else, including Rush, seems confused, but Eli says he did. Smiling, Young turns back to the radio and announces a special surprise. He knows that many crewmembers feel he’s making a dangerous choice, so he’d like to try one last time to convince them that it’s the right one. Nodding to Eli, he explains that they've maxed Destiny’s sensors to pick up radio chatter between the Novan ships. A moment later it comes over the speakers, the sounds of daily life no different from their own. Pilots checking one another’s relative positions, captains giving daily announcements to their crews. An education broadcast is going out on some approaching Novan holiday, remembrance of an historic truce between Tenara and Futura ending a particularly nasty war. Remove the references to Novus or the fleet and it could be any jumble of talk radio back on Earth.

                    Most striking, though, is one signal in particular. A young woman leading what must be a fleet-wide religious service, reading stirring quotations from the Testament the crew themselves established during Novus's earliest days. An older Eli’s condemnation of self and a reflection that he should have recognized his pride for what it was. A speech Camille once gave on the power of civilian government and the decisive character required in its leaders. Brody on the founding of Futura and its belief in Destiny’s mission. And lastly, Young toward the end of his life, remarking on a dream he had that Novus could dial Earth and establish trade between the worlds. Two great bastions of humanity at opposite ends of the universe.

                    People across the ship are moved by the transmissions, and even Rush seems to consider that it may be worth the risk to intervene. As Eli once said, they and the Novans are one in the same. And if they’re anything like their ancestors, they wouldn't hesitate to risk their lives if it meant saving Destiny. Finally cutting the signal, Young lets silence hold for a moment before telling the crew to stay at their stations and prepare for battle. Settling into his chair, he tells Chloe to get them into FTL so they can finish this.

                    Light-years away, their target hangs in orbit over a dead world. The command ship isn't moving, but several drones are flitting about nearby. Suddenly a burst of color tears through space directly behind the vessel, ejecting Destiny from FTL. Young immediately orders the main weapon lowered, directing James and Greer to light up the command ship’s hull with turret fire in the meantime. The point-defense cannons lash out at once, destroying a few drones before they can react, but then the whole swarm is in the air and streaming toward them. Though there’s hardly any room to maneuver, their carrier does its best to get out of the fight, angling toward a nearby moon in the hope that its drones can absorb most of the damage. Watching it go, Young asks if they managed to jam its communications in time. Looking up from his console, Brody announces that they tried and failed to send a message, indicating their blackout’s working. He can already tell the main ship’s working to punch though, however, and switches to a dedicated communications panel to try and stay one step ahead.

                    Outside, the drones weave over and around the ship to hammer its shields relentlessly. The gunmen are doing an admirable job catching them, but there are a lot of targets and only so many operational turrets. Shields are already down 20%, and James warns that the command ship has a prime firing arc if it chose to turn around and bombard their position. Knowing they need to end this sooner rather than later, Scott spins Destiny to face the carrier and tells Greer to let them have it. Grinning, Ron takes aim and fires the main gun, building a charge before discharging the more-powerful fourth barrel. But the drones seem to have learned a thing or two from their last encounter; pulling a hairpin turn, the command ship evades the shot and returns fire, landing a trio of blows that send the shields under 60%.

                    Grabbing his armrests, Young tells Greer to keep at it and has Scott try and keep them level with the command ship. That’s easier said than done, as the drones are clustering toward the bow to complicate maneuvers. There aren't many operational turrets with a good shot, and James says that they need to force them further up the hull. Scott has an idea for that to, telling everyone to hold on and gunning the engines. Destiny leaps forward, smashing a few drones against the forward shields, and scattering the drones right into the turrets’ line of sight. A slew of them explode under combined fire, eliciting cheers from the crew. Rush quickly reminds them that the command ship is still shooting at them, warning that their shields are below half strength and falling. They don’t have time to try flying circles around the strike craft, they need to take out the carrier or it’s just going to get worse.

                    In the infirmary, T.J.’s already seeing the first few personnel wounded by overloaded conduits or unstable panels. She makes a note to say something to Colonel Young about getting Eli on those, then shepherds the new arrivals to beds and advises them to hold on tight. Others have gathered in the gate room, listening to the sounds of battle outside and gripping nervously to various posts and railings. Camille is in the middle doing her best to keep everyone calm, radioing the bridge to ask how it’s going. Watching Greer finally land a blow on the command ship, Young replies that it’s going about as well as they expected. They've cleared most of the smaller drones and opened a firing lane for the main gun to rip at the carrier, but Rush’s earlier warnings proved timely. They only have 30% shield power remaining, and they’re losing coverage over the outlying compartments. Eli’s sealing bulkheads as he can, but they won’t be able to stop a chain reaction if they lose shields over one of the sizable holes inside the main living quarters.

                    Telling Camille to keep at it, the Colonel watches Greer land another few hits that send energy arcing over the carrier’s shields. They’re flickering precariously and Eli thinks another hit or two should do the trick. But then the command ship stops firing and suddenly turns out into open space. Eli can’t understand what it’s doing, but Rush shouts that they need to take the shot immediately. The machines still can’t get a message out but they must know they need to warn the others about the resurgent threat posed by Destiny. It must be trying to jump away while there are still drones to distract them, and they can’t allow that. Scott gets as good an alignment as possible and watches Greer fire away, landing a quick series of blasts that slice through the enemy’s shields and blow its engines apart. It explodes a moment later, nullifying the remaining drones. It was a close thing, but they won.
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                      (Conclusion of "Flotilla," see previous three posts for beginning.)

                      Spoiler:
                      Young steps off the bridge a short time later to find Wray waiting for him. He explains that they just finished destroying the remaining drones; if the Novans inherited their curiosity, they’d repeat their mistake and try to take one aboard. While he believes them to be a very intelligent people, he’s not about to risk them calling a whole new fleet of command ships by accident. They’ll have to live without the technology the drones might have revealed to them. Camille thinks it’s a good call, shaking Young’s hand and congratulating him on a well-earned victory. T.J. reports only minor injuries and it looks like Eli was able to contain the decompression on the outer decks. Their reserves are dangerously low, but it’s nothing a quick stop to recharge won’t fix. All in all, they did better than anyone had any right to think they would. That in itself gives her hope for their next run-in with the drones, though she doesn't think they’re find many off on their own in the future. They were lucky this time, and with the Followers still proving a nuisance to the machines elsewhere, they can hope that reinforcements won’t be spared to investigate here.

                      Smiling, Young thanks her for the vote of confidence and the analysis. He’s inclined to agree, glad his decision didn't result in any lasting damage. Still, Rush thinks they should be on their way and continue as planned to Novus rather than stop by the evacuation fleet as Eli and others now suggest. There Wray agrees with Rush; they did a good thing today, but Earth is committing significant resources to this attempt to make a connection. Once they make contact with the Novans, no one is going to want to leave for quite a while. They know where they are and they can be relatively sure nothing will happen to the fleet in their absence. They can always just swing by again once they've finished the attempt to contact home. The Colonel supposes she has a point, deciding that’s the wisest course of action. He’ll have Chloe plot a jump to the closest usable star so they can get back underway.

                      Motioning for him to walk further from the bridge, Camille says there’s still one thing she needs to ask. She was following the radio chatter from the bridge and heard how low their shields had fallen. In fact, she’s heard that they’d dipped under 20% when Greer finally hit the command ship. That begs the question: at what point would Young have abandoned the battle, whatever the consequences for the Novans? They had shield failures all along the ship and more than a few hull breaches. Another minute and Destiny might not have been able to escape in one piece. Young holds her gaze for a long moment before promising that he would have ordered a retreat before it got to that point. Wray asks how she and others can trust that in the future, but doesn't get an answer before he heads away down the hall.

                      Back on the bridge, everyone else is preparing to head out. Seeing Rush help Brody recalibrate the communications grid back to its normal settings, Eli hangs behind until it’s just the two of them left. Before he can say anything, though, Rush asks if he just wants to get the last word in, a final “told you so” that they pulled it off. Not having expected him to guess so quickly, Eli stammers that’s not exactly how he would have said it; it makes him sound like a jerk. Laughing, Rush says that sticking around just to taunt always makes someone sound like a jerk. Especially when it nearly went every bit as bad as the other person had predicted. Eli frowns, asking what he’s talking about. Sure, it got a little dicey toward the end, but they stayed one step ahead of the drones and pulled it off. Heading to the door, Rush says that he’s right. But this game Eli’s playing, opposing him seemingly only for the opportunity to taunt him at the end? What happens when it turns out the mean old man was right and the young genius wrong? Shutting off the lights, Rush leaves him with that parting thought.

                      Stopping by the infirmary on her own way back from the bridge, Chloe asks how things went during the battle. Patching up one of the scientists, Tamara responds that it went alright. The worst injury she saw was some minor electrical burns, nothing critical or life-threatening. She was expecting much worse, given the extent of the damage they typically receive during a run-in with the drones, but she’ll take this sort of outcome any day. Speaking of injuries, Chloe steps aside and pulls down her sleeve, revealing her fully-healed shoulder and claiming the last of the scarring disappeared the night before. She lies that the medicinals T.J. gave her worked wonders, removing even the slightest trace of a prior wound.

                      The medic’s glad she could help, though she confesses that she gave Chloe the last of her supply. That particular herb’s long-gone, but with any luck they’ll find something similar on an upcoming supply run. Anyway, she’s just glad everything worked out and that they had a chance to talk. Chloe promises to stop by soon so they can catch up properly, but now she really has to go get some sleep. T.J. waves goodbye and returns to her patient, though she notices that Chloe’s unconsciously rubbing her shoulder as she rounds the corner out of sight.

                      Many of the senior personnel are gathered in the mess a couple hours later, where Young’s congratulating the bridge team on a job well done. He also announces his decision to postpone any contact with the Novans until after they finish their work on Novus so as not to further delay Homeworld Command. Now that they know the refugees won’t be going anywhere, they can always swing by once they've made the connection to Earth. No one objects, but Eli raises his hand to ask a question. They don’t know how long their business on Novus will take, and unlikely as it may be, there’s still a chance the drones ambush the evacuation fleet in coming to investigate. He doesn't see why they couldn't at least let their descendants know that they went to bat for them. Or better yet, inform them of the potential threats they’re facing en route to their new homeworld. Colonel Young doesn't see how they could do that without stopping to visit, but Eli has an idea about that, too.

                      The rest of the day passes uneventfully. Unaware of how fortunate they are, the Novans continue their journey through the dead of space. The massive fleet is finally making its arrival over the dead planet where Destiny destroyed the drone command vessel, radio chatter revealing a good deal of confusion as to what could have happened. The refugees seem to be considering a scouting party when one of them picks up a signal being broadcast from just outside the debris field. A small transport, the craft no bigger than one of Destiny’s shuttles, is dispatched to zero in on the bogey; a lone kino floating in high orbit. Inside the transport, its two person crew examine it curiously through their spacesuits. They recognize it for what it is, the Novan Testament having been recorded via kino, but can’t understand how it might have gotten so far out here.

                      Nonetheless, they plug it into their console and watch a video feed flicker to life. They gasp when Colonel Young explains that Destiny came and went shortly before their arrival, destroying a deadly mechanical enemy that could well have decimated the evacuation fleet. Smiling, Young says that he and his crew couldn't be prouder of what their descendants have accomplished. And if they’ll let him, he’d like to take this opportunity to make sure they survive their flight to accomplish even more.
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                        3x06 "Eldest"
                        Synopsis: While Scott, Greer, and Eli explore an abandoned Novan colony, Colonel Young encounters a mysterious being with surprising knowledge of Destiny and her crew.
                        Spoiler:
                        Spoiler:
                        FADE IN:
                        SCENE:
                        We see Destiny flying through FTL, arching by overhead before continuing on its path to the edge of the universe.

                        RUSH: Over a million years ago, the Ancients discovered a complex structure buried deep within the background radiation of the universe: the fingerprints of an intelligence that existed very near the beginning of time itself.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        RUSH stands in the Destiny gate room speaking to the assembled crew. His eyes shine with determination. The others look on with interest, listening to what he has to say despite their own reservations.

                        RUSH: Destiny was launched in search of that intelligence.

                        FADE TO:
                        SCENE:
                        Dozens of DRONES attack Destiny from all angles, pelting the shields and swarming around its point-defense guns.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        ELI, SCOTT, and WRAY stand in the wreckage of a TENARAN offworld colony. The DRONES have attacked and destroyed the area, and the NOVANS wonder what could have brought such a menace upon them.

                        WALLACE: A mechanical army of drones, programmed to seek out and destroy all technology foreign to them.

                        WRAY: They were built to win a war between two alien races in this galaxy, and when the war was over, the weapons were left behind.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        The away team stranded on the TENERAN colony tries to figure out how the DRONES could have found them. Suddenly, ELI has a realization.

                        WALLACE: An active gate is a massive sub-space event. They must have found a way to detect it from long range.

                        FADE TO:
                        SCENE:
                        A massive group of DRONES heads toward Destiny while their command ship maneuvers between the Ancient vessel and the nearby star. The machines open fire the second they’re in range, pummeling Destiny with plasma fire. On the bridge, GREER fires the weapons system and glances at the display.

                        GREER: It’s a blockade!

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        ELI and RUSH are in the control interface room showing a hologram to YOUNG and WRAY. The display shows hundreds of approaching stars and stargates... and the countless DRONE ships orbiting every single one.

                        RUSH: As far as we can tell, they’re waiting at every gate between here and the edge of the galaxy.

                        FADE TO:
                        SCENE:
                        As battle erupts outside, JAMES mans one of the bridge’s weapons consoles and stares in terror at the display.

                        JAMES: Sir, we’ve got another problem…

                        VOLKER: It’s the aliens from the other galaxy.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        A group of FOLLOWERS stand in a control room on one of their ships. One of them looks up and directly at the camera.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        SCOTT, GREER, and other soldiers surround CHLOE in the control interface room. She’s just activated the communications array and sent a message, and she’s desperate to explain why she did it before GREER is forced to execute her.

                        CHLOE: Look, the aliens who took me--they followed us to this galaxy. They’ve been looking for us ever since. Now they know where we are.

                        CUT TO:
                        SCENE:
                        Walking down a corridor, RUSH and WRAY discuss CHLOE’s situation and their only real option; to turn her over to the aliens.

                        WRAY: For all we know, they’re going to download every scrap of information she has about Destiny the second they get her onboard.

                        RUSH: With Chloe back to normal, the odds of them ever tracking us again are virtually nil. Then it doesn't matter what they discover about the ship.

                        WRAY: Yeah, assuming they honor the deal.

                        RUSH: Well, they've no point in keeping her. If she begins to change again, we’ll soon know, won’t we?

                        FADE TO:
                        SCENE:
                        RUSH sits on a bed in the infirmary where CHLOE is recovering from her ordeal. He flips through a notebook in which she’s scribbled precise FTL calculations, impressed.

                        RUSH: Obviously they haven’t wiped your memory. You managed to retain some of the knowledge you gained. I should think that’s a good thing.

                        ARMSTRONG: Because I can still be useful.

                        RUSH: Everyone on this ship is useful. We all belong here.

                        FADE TO:
                        SCENE:
                        RUSH again stands in the Destiny gate room to speak to the crew. Tears of passion are in his eyes, and he looks out at his fellow shipmates hopefully.

                        RUSH: I believe this journey is the reason I’m here, but I can’t hope to do it alone. I ask you to come with me.

                        FADE OUT:

                        ((1 minute recap of selected scenes from “Faith,” “Intervention,” “The Greater Good,” “Visitation,” and “Nod”))

                        Stepping through an active stargate into a snow-covered forest, Lt. Matthew Scott radios Destiny the all-clear to send the rest of the away team. Several airmen and scientists come through behind him, followed by Eli Wallace and Sgt. Ronald Greer. They’re on a straightforward resupply mission, but the scout kino found what look like ruins in a nearby clearing. Eli had offered to come check it out, anxious to get off the ship for the first time in over a month. Splitting the team into groups, Scott says he’ll take some to gather foodstuffs while Greer leads most of the scientists to the ruins. They’re all to stay within radio range of each other and the stargate to avoid another offworld disaster (“Recruitment”). Turning toward the gate, he then radios the ship and says they’re good to get going.

                        In the gate room, Col. Everett Young tells Scott to get everyone back in one piece, then nods to Dr. Adam Brody to cut the connection. Standing nearby, Dr. Nicholas Rush says he’ll grab Chloe Armstrong and head to the bridge to calculate the last leg of their trip back to Novus. Young gives the OK and tells everyone that he’s going to catch some sleep while he can. Seeing there’s still several hours on the countdown clock, Brody says he’ll radio when the away team returns but otherwise defer to Rush and Camille Wray for any minor non-military issues. The Colonel doesn't a see a problem there and turns toward his quarters, passing Dr. Dale Volker coming the other way.

                        Turning off the main corridor, Young walks to his room and yawns while the door cranks open. He’s so focused on his bed that he doesn't notice the figure lounging on his couch, sitting down and unbuttoning his uniform jacket. Then he frowns and looks up at the man seated across from him in what appears to be a fine Italian suit. It’s an older Caucasian gentleman in his late 50s with well-kept greying hair and a neatly-trimmed goatee. His eyes stand out as particularly (and somewhat disconcertingly) bright, examining the Colonel with keen interest.

                        The two men watch each other for a moment before Young asks, slowly, if his guest would like to introduce himself. The older man smiles, identifying himself only as “a friend” and promising to give a name once he’s thought of one. Everett isn't sure what to make of that, picking up his radio and asking why he shouldn't summon a few soldiers to make sure Destiny’s security hasn't been compromised. The man opens his jacket to show he’s unarmed and says he poses no threat to anyone onboard. Believe it or not, he’d just like to chat.

                        Offworld, Greer’s leading Eli and the rest of his group down an overgrown but visible path through the forest. Kneeling, one of the scientists scrapes a layer of moss off a few flat square stones, wondering aloud if this was a proper road at one point. Eli admits that he was thinking the same thing, having noticed a rusted metal surface closer to the stargate. The two finds would imply a relatively advanced society, able to carve solid stone with precision and work metal into sheets. “Relatively advanced,” of course, doesn't guarantee any high technology that would prove helpful against the drones or Followers. Properly prepared raw materials would be useful back on the ship, but only to increase their standard of living. From what they've seen so far, they shouldn't start hoping for shiny new weapons or additional shield emitters.

                        Starting up a low incline, Eli thinks on that a moment and guesses whoever lived here were humanoid. Greer takes it further to suggest they were simply human; they’re very close to Novus now, making it unlikely this world went undiscovered during colonization. It wouldn't be the first abandoned Novan settlement they’d run into (“Blockade”), though they should be wary if it turns out he’s right. After all, drones remained behind years after the last colony’s destruction, so there’s no reason to think they wouldn't still be watching here. It’s just then that Scott radios in with a similar thought, his group having stumbled onto an overgrown field that may have once been a farm. Greer reaches the top of the rise and laughs, boasting that he might as well sign up with one of the science teams. Eli follows him up and looks out over the expansive valley on the other side, dotted with Novan-style structures long since abandoned.

                        Back on the ship, Young is still trying to figure out exactly who or what he’s dealing with. He stands and asks if this is just the ship’s computer playing mind games again, preparing some new test for him to prove his worth as commanding officer (“Trial and Error”). The other man explains how that would be quite impossible, detailing Eli’s patch preventing Destiny’s AI from accessing mental projection protocols (“Alone, Part 2”). That surprises Young, as Eli had left any interaction with the AI out of his report on those two weeks trying to repair his stasis pod (“Nod”). Such a claim doesn't necessarily mean anything on its own, though, and Everett contemplates radioing the gate room to recall Eli and get the story direct from him. But he ultimately decides to let it go for now and give his visitor the benefit of the doubt. Though he’d still like to know what he’s supposed to take away from all this, like how someone new got on a vessel several billion light years from Earth.

                        The gentleman chuckles and promises to explain everything in due time. Until then, he figures they can get to know one another better. He grabs the hand-carved chess set Young made to play with Rush and begins setting the board on the table between them. Chess, he says, fascinates him. The game is centuries old but offers one of the most strategic experiences humans have yet devised, a true test of wit and will for its players. Everett isn't sure what to make of that, nodding and pouring himself a drink from the nearby table. He pours a second for his guest, asking if he’ll have any chance of winning against someone so clearly engrossed by the game. The other man finishes the setup and says that they’re playing to learn, not to win, though Young points out that he didn't answer the question. Taking the offered drink, the gentleman motions for Young to sit and says all they can do is play and find out. He takes a sip and smiles upon seeing a white knight advance. Then he makes his first move, sending a black pawn to the middle of the board and leaning back to watch.

                        In the gate room, Brody's established a connection to the forest planet for the first check-in. He, Volker, and Dr. Lisa Park are listening while Scott and Greer take turns explaining their theory that they've happened upon another former Novan colony. They think it’s worth exploring despite the danger, given their descendants’ level of technology and their comparable necessities. Nodding in agreement, Volker says it’s definitely worth checking out for any leftover tech they could send back to Earth for analysis.


                        (Beginning of "Eldest," see next three posts for conclusion.)
                        Last edited by s09119; 10 November 2013, 05:24 PM.
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                          (More of "Eldest," see previous post for beginning and next two posts for conclusion.)

                          Spoiler:
                          Brody radios Camille for authorization, but she’s already arriving in the gate room. She gets a quick summary of events and tells the away teams to go ahead and explore, reminding them that they need to be back in a few hours’ time. On their end, she suggests putting together a rapid response team in case of any remaining drones. Volker thinks they should talk to Young about it, but Wray says Lt. Vanessa James can handle it on her own. Better to let the Colonel rest while he can.

                          Tucking his radio away, Scott tells his team to advance across the overgrown farm to the buildings in the distance. Knowing he has more soldiers than scientists, he has his men establish a fairly wide perimeter to watch for approaching targets. He doesn't like how large an open space they have to cross, remembering all too well the slaughter he witnessed trying to evacuate across a similar space on another Novan world (“Common Descent”). Thinking for a moment, he sends two men back to guard the stargate with orders to dial Destiny should he or Greer radio back that they’re under attack. At least that way they can get reinforcements fast or have medical teams standing by in the event they take enemy fire.

                          A few miles east, Greer and Eli step inside a ruined hardware store to search for any building materials they might be able to repurpose on the ship. The rest of their group’s across the street in a competing shop, with two soldiers left in cover by the road to watch for any activity. Rummaging through a container, Eli notes that it looks like all the useful tools have already been taken. Gathered quickly, certainly, but not like the place was ransacked in a panic. Greer had noticed that too, though he isn't sure what it might mean. Deciding there’s nothing too useful here, he tells his team to head further into town. They can always double back if it looks like this is the best there is, but he’s not willing to believe the best this settlement has to offer is nails and measuring tape.

                          In his quarters, Young’s making his eighth move of the chess game. He’s playing as white and moves a knight to capture a black pawn closing on his side of the board. Taking a sip of his drink, he eyes his guest and asks if he’s come up with a good name yet. The other man looks over the board, smiles, and advances a bishop before answering that he’s still working on it. A name, he reasons, is a powerful thing not to be decided too lightly or on a whim. One group of Novans, for example, chose to name their new country Tenara, the “land of the young” (“Common Descent”). It was an obvious and powerful sign of their commitment to Colonel Young’s leadership at a time when some had already broken away. Laughing cautiously, Everett points out that it’s not a perfect analogy; individuals are given names at birth. Surely his visitor already has one.

                          Watching the Colonel contemplate his next move, the gentleman seems to reflect on that thought. He claims to have had a name a long, long time ago, but it no longer holds any meaning. Still pondering his options, Young asks how long ago they’re talking. The other man clicks his tongue, warning that trying to understand things in an absolute sense of time is dangerous out here in the universe. The crew learned that firsthand when confronted by an “impossible” star system, searching in vain for a scientific solution. Others simply accepted the encounter on faith, trusting that a higher power had placed Eden in their path for a reason (“Faith”). Suddenly serious, Young says that it’s been a long time since he trusted faith for much of anything. And in any event, they've come full circle on the name argument; “Eden” was a lie, their remaining crewmembers apparently killed by an unexpected winter (“Visitation”). And the second such world was no better, already nearing a similar fate (“Nod”).

                          Equally serious now, the gentleman suggests that greater powers test those beneath them. Wary and tiring of the exchange, Everett moves a rook and claims he’s never shied from review, but his guest reminds him of how close he’s come to failure. He lost an SG team to the Goa'uld, an operation that cost him his position and the respect of his superiors. When it lost faith in Young’s leadership, Destiny’s AI tested him with a no-win scenario that very nearly broke him (“Trial and Error”). Why would a so-called “planet builder,” a being of truly immense power, demand any less? The question stuns Young into silence, the visitor realizing too late that he’s tipped his hand. Smiling, he admits that he is indeed one of the powerful aliens the crew named “planet builders,” an entity far older than even their beloved Ancients. Recalling a surrounded bishop, he tells the Colonel that the next move is his.

                          Several decks above, Rush and Chloe are hard at work plotting the final jump to Novus. Though Nicholas has performed the bulk of the work, it’s clear that several key equations remain out of his grasp. For all his effort these past few months to better understand the ship’s navigational systems, the crew is still just barely in control. Watching him leaf through his notes in frustration, Chloe asks if it’s hard for him, having Destiny at his fingertips but unable to operate it without hers. Rush pauses and looks her over for a moment before answering “Yes and no.” He won’t deny that he’d appreciate her Follower-given knowledge (“Space”), but his primary concern is for the crew and their mission. Should Chloe die or vanish, the ship would return to autopilot and leave them little more than passengers. Their experience with the drone blockades demonstrated how disastrous that might be (“Blockade,” “Gauntlet”).

                          Though speaking of her future, Rush asks if she’s considered leaving for Earth when they reach Novus. Colonel Young’s said he’ll allow anyone who wishes to return home should they establish a stable wormhole to the Milky Way. Laughing ruefully, Chloe says that they both know she presents a special case. Even if Homeworld Command allowed her through the stargate, she doesn't think they’d let her go home after hostile aliens made a plaything of her brain. She unconsciously puts a hand to her newly-infected shoulder (“Recruitment”), no doubt imagining herself the subject of awful experiments should she be discovered. Setting his notes aside, Rush promises that he and Young won’t allow anyone back on Earth to treat her like a science project. And with a man like Gen. Jack O'Neill in charge, he can’t imagine the Pentagon ever authorizing such treatment anyway. He’d prefer she remain on the ship, helping them explore the great unknown, but he and the others will protect her either way. Gripping her shoulder more tightly, Chloe nods thankfully. Neither notice the communications panel beeping quietly behind them.

                          Still offworld, Scott’s team has crossed onto another deserted farm. One of his scientists remarks with interest that the crops appear to have survived whatever tragedy befell the colony. They have plenty of food in storage, but it still would have been nice to bolster their supplies in case Earth’s able to send reinforcements. Determined to find something of value on the planet, the Lieutenant suggests they cut across a distant field to take them toward the town center. They can link up with Greer and make a final sweep of the area before returning to the stargate. The scientists want to spend more time checking the various farms, hoping to find something left in storage, but Scott insists they move on.

                          Having located an abandoned factory, Greer’s team is sorting through an old scrap pile for any metal Brody might be able to put to good use. Eli’s up on the second level peering in what must have been the foreman’s office, but there doesn't seem to be anything worth taking. Then he frowns, looking out the window to see smoke rising from a nearby alleyway. Coming in behind him, Greer says that he’s getting less comfortable with this planet by the minute; the smoke is coming from back the way they came, but he doesn’t remember it from their approach to the factory. He radios Scott to hurry to their position, not willing to take any chances. Their teams can close in on the alleyway from both directions.

                          Manning the consoles in the gate room, Volker and Brody listen while one of Scott’s men explains what they've found so far on the forest planet. Neither of them likes the sound of spontaneous combustion on an abandoned world, but there could always be a perfectly benign reason. Greer isn't disputing that, but he’d rather play it safe. Standing nearby, Wray tells him he made the right call. She’ll deploy Lt. James and a third team to provide support if need be, pressing Scott not to pull any needless heroics. He and Greer promise to be careful and cut the connection, allowing Brody to redial for James and her men. Straightening her jacket, Wray says she’ll go and inform Colonel Young of the developments. The man deserves his rest, but the situation could turn dangerous and she knows they may need him.

                          Still unsure what to say, Young eyes his visitor carefully and finishes his drink. Leaning back, the gentleman asks that he not be treated any differently in light of his identity; he’s quite enjoyed their conversation. Still processing everything, Everett absently promises to carry on as they were, then looks up when there’s a knock at his door. His visitor has quite suddenly vanished, though the drinks and chess board remain. Frowning, Young goes to the door and palms it open, surprised at the anxious look on Camille Wray's face. He motions for her to come in and asks if she’d like a drink, which she politely declines after apologizing for the interruption. She does, however, take note of the two already poured. Waving it off, Young says he couldn't sleep and decided to practice for his next game with Rush. It doesn't quite allay Camille’s confusion, but she seems satisfied enough.

                          Moving onto business, she summarizes what Scott and Greer found offworld. Young suggests deploying a third team to provide support, pleasantly surprised when Wray says she’s already seen to it. He offers to grab his gear and come join them in the gate room, but Camille insists they have everything under control. The Colonel’s had a trying few weeks working harder than the rest of them, he deserves a night to himself. They can keep him in the loop via radio and call for him should the situation change. Wishing him good luck in his game, Wray sees herself out. Young watches the door close and turns to find his visitor again on his couch, sipping his drink and gesturing at the chess board on the table. Resigning himself to such strange behavior, he walks over and makes his move to capture a wayward pawn.

                          Crouched at one end of the smoking alleyway, Greer peers over a dumpster at the crumpled side of a rusting warehouse. Scott radios that he sees it too, his team positioned somewhat closer from the other side. Neither man can tell exactly what they’re looking at, but they’re sure it’s the source of the smoke Eli spotted from the factory. Deciding they might as well move out, both teams advance up the alleyway, into cover wherever possible. Sliding along the warehouse wall, Scott makes it to the smoking hole, takes a deep breath, and spins to face whatever’s there. He stares for a long moment, then motions for Greer and Eli to join him. There’s no doubt that they've found something as interesting as it is worrying, a crashed drone. Holding his hand just above its top plating, Eli says it’s still warm. It couldn't have come down more than an hour ago, but none of them saw anything that could have shot it.
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                            (More of "Eldest," see previous two posts for beginning and next post for conclusion.)

                            Spoiler:
                            Whatever brought it down, the drone’s presence is sufficient to spook Scott into suggesting retreat. They haven’t found anything worth taking back to Destiny, so there’s no point in sticking around for something else to fall out of the sky. Eli’s quick to second the idea, but Greer doesn't like just leaving without an explanation. Something pretty powerful must have crashed the drone, and they need to know if there’s another potential ally or enemy lurking around this region. After all, the last thing they need would be to alert a new adversary to their presence so close to Novus. Scott understands what he’s saying, but he still thinks they should fall back. More drones could come to investigate at any time, and they don’t have the firepower to take on a swarm or command ship. Radioing James, he tells her to relay their find to Destiny and keep a wormhole open for immediate evacuation. The time’s come to leave.

                            Not having lost a single piece, Young’s taken a commanding lead in his chess game. He’s playing well but seems almost detached, infinitely more interested in his visitor and his motivations. For his part, the gentleman’s revealed little; whatever test he has in mind hasn't yet finished. He watches while the Colonel answers a hail from the gate room, listening while Dr. Park explains what Scott and Greer uncovered offworld. Looking regretfully at the chess board, Young says he’ll be down momentarily to hear what they have to say firsthand. His visitor rises and hands over the nearby uniform jacket, promising that he’ll still be here when the teams have safely returned. The safety of the ship and its crew must come first, he reasons, and they can finish their game afterwards. Pulling on his jacket and taking a drink of water, Young begins to thank him for waiting. But he looks up to see the gentleman’s vanished again.

                            Crossing back into the forest, the first two offworld teams are clearly on edge. Eli looks back toward the settlement, noticeably uneasy with two new columns of smoke on the horizon. No one wants to go venture out for a closer look, but they all agree that two more drones must have been brought down. The teams push past the treeline and head down the path toward the stargate, scanning the area with their weapons at the ready. Breathing easier, Eli’s in the middle of a joke when Scott’s radio crackles. Hearing James on the other end, he grabs it off his vest and asks what’s going on. If there’s a problem at the gate, reinforcements are only a few minutes away.

                            Further in, Vanessa explains that it’s not so much a problem as it is another mystery. At her feet lies another drone, clearly having crashed to earth through the dense foliage above. She and her men heard it come down and went to investigate, but they weren't expecting a drone so close to the stargate. Whether it was purposely in the area or just happened to be overhead, they’re certainly getting too close for comfort. Destroyed or not, it’s unnerving. Scott tells her to leave it and rejoin the rest of her men at the gate. He and Greer are only minutes away, and he’d prefer they leave before they’re spotted. A distinctly mechanical buzzing has filled the air, and he doesn't want to be around when a swarm of drones arrives en masse.

                            On the ship, Park meets Colonel Young just outside the gate room, explaining that the first two teams are about to come through. They join Wray, Brody, and Volker behind the consoles just as Scott’s men pour through the wormhole. The Lieutenant comes next, waiting for Greer and Eli before approaching the command staff. Glancing at the countdown clock, Young says they still have another hour and a half if they think it’s worth sending a larger force back to scout the settlement. Scott doesn't think that’s a good idea, however. They saw two new columns of smoke leaving the city and ran across a third halfway through the forest. More drones are definitely on their way, and whatever’s shooting them down is doing so with deadly accuracy. It’s probably best that they steer clear and be on their way.

                            Watching the wormhole disengage, Young asks if they have any idea who cleared the skies. They've encountered a few powerful species, but Eli says they've never seen up close weapons residue for comparison. It could be anyone, they just don’t know. The distant two drones were probably shot while Scott and Greer were in the city, their view blocked by surrounding structures. And while James heard a dull crash that turned out to be the other fallen drone, the foliage was too thick for her to have seen the attack. Eli shrugs, guessing they just weren't in the right places at the right times, but Wray wonders if there’s more to it. Whatever the reasons, Greer doesn't see much use in debating it now. What happened is done and they’re not going back. The teams break up to unload and freshen up, Young congratulating them all on a job well done despite their inconclusive investigation.

                            Stepping toward him, Camille asks what they do next. They have some time before the ship automatically enters FTL, giving them a few options. The Colonel thinks it over for a moment and suggests they wait until the fifteen minute mark, then send a kino. The teams had to navigate winding forest paths before they broke past the treeline, but a kino could push through the foliage to give them some final reconnaissance. Wray says she’ll see it done, but Everett grabs her arm as she turns to leave. He plans to head back to his room to finish his chess game, but he wanted to tell her that his congratulations extended to her, as well. What doubts he had about her a year prior have all but evaporated, and she’s proven herself a shrewd and capable member of the crew. The two shake hands and go their separate ways, Camille unable to suppress a contented smile.

                            Heading down the hall, Everett is struck by a thought and grabs his radio. On the bridge, Rush hears his console crackle and steps over to take the call. After explaining that he and Chloe are still working, the scientist is surprised to hear if he can repeat exactly what it was the Ancients detected at the end of the universe, the finding which compelled them to build and launch Destiny in the first place. Taken aback, Rush replies that they don’t know much more than when he first stumbled upon the truth of it. But from what he’s read in the database, it would appear that the Ancients uncovered a structure within the background radiation, a remnant from the birth of the universe itself. The structure is unlike anything he’s ever encountered, impossibly complex but possessing a certain intelligence in its design. He thinks, as the Ancients did, that it may well indicate that the universe’s creation wasn't entirely spontaneous. Thanking him for the summary, Young tucks away his radio and mulls it all over.

                            Rush wonders aloud why Young would ask out of the blue, then frowns as he finally registers the dull beeping from a nearby communications panel. Sliding into its chair, he passes through a series of menus until he hits an alert from the long-range sensors. He runs his fingers along the keyboard while he reads, but finds whatever it says unhelpful. Instead, he keys in a follow-up sensor scan and mutters that he might as well let the others know that the ship may have found something. Sending them all a brief message, he returns to his calculations and leaves the sensors to their work.

                            Returning to his quarters, the Colonel opens the door to see his laptop open on his desk and a number of file folders opened and shuffled. Seated on the couch, his visitor waves a hand and promises it was nothing confidential or sensitive, just some light reading to pass the time. Motioning for Young to be seated, he admits that he has such a curiosity about humanity, he couldn't resist an opportunity to learn a little more. He stands and spins the laptop for better viewing, tapping across the on-disk cultural database. Everett explains that it was assembled at Icarus Base in case the expedition encountered peaceful aliens interested in human history. In that regard, it seems to have served its purpose. But his guest is more interested in the statement its very existence seems to make: humans are objectively violent and unstable, Earth long ravaged by their wars and greed. Yet though aliens so far from the Milky Way would have no other means of learning those truths, the database hides nothing. The tragic tale of humankind is laid bare for all to see.

                            That’s what he finds fascinating, that Young would call himself a peaceful explorer while his species stands drenched in its own blood. Sitting again before the game board, he advances his queen to check his opponent’s king. Choosing his words carefully, Young admits the contradiction is a hallmark of humanity. He himself is a professional soldier in command of what is essentially a military dictatorship on the edge of the universe. But humans’ past mistakes and missteps need not destroy the promise of a brighter future. Their scientific expertise and natural curiosity compel mankind to lay down its arms and take up the destiny left for them by the Ancients. They haven’t yet managed it, but given what Earth has accomplished across the vastness of space in just two decades, he won’t accept that they haven’t proved their commitment to that ideal.

                            Capturing the black queen, Young asks if his visitor’s people were really any better. The gentleman gives him an odd look before draining his drink. Nodding at the open laptop, he remarks that the cultural database held another surprise; an old Earth myth which struck him as remarkably familiar. The ancient Greeks believed their gods the second to inhabit Olympus, having overthrown the mighty Titans. Defeated, the old gods were sealed in the hell of Tartarus for all eternity. According to legend, the Titans had been corrupted by time and power and deserved their awful fate. What the Colonel’s guest now wonders is whether they can really believe the claims of a thousand year old myth. Not whether the Titans and Olympians really existed, but whether the younger gods truly had good cause for their actions. Though Young is clearly disarmed by the conversation’s unexpected turn, he takes another piece and again checks the enemy king.

                            Three turns follow to build the Colonel’s momentum, ending in a checkmate at which even he seems surprised; while black lost nine pieces, white escaped unscathed. The gentleman congratulates his opponent on a game well won, draining his drink with a smile. Young still seems somewhat confused, his guest having lost rather badly despite remarkable skill. As if sensing his confusion, the other man admits that while Everett performed well, he could have won at almost any time. Sometimes, he reasons, the true test is not whether one wins or loses but how they handle themselves throughout. All of Young’s men survived this round, but he may not be so fortunate the next time they play. Truth be told, he could have taken any of them whenever he wanted.
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                              (Conclusion of "Eldest," see previous three posts for beginning.)

                              Spoiler:
                              The cryptic words hang in the air between them a moment before the gentleman holds up a hand, smiling. Thanking Young for a passable drink, good conversation, and a fine game of chess, he mentions that their discussion has finally produced a name to which he can relate. Constructs of the mind, he claims, human gods often reflect human values and social structures. The Greek pantheon was no different, with a kingly figure enthroned atop Mount Olympus. Among the Olympians it was Zeus, but the Titans followed another. The god of time, in fact, an ageless being of impossible power. Considering his own truly ancient origins, the gentleman jokes that he knows how he must have felt. Picking up one of his fallen chess pieces and tossing it over, he promises the Colonel that they will speak again. Everett looks down for a moment to catch the piece, not at all surprised to find that when he looks up, his visitor has vanished.

                              A short while later, Everett has returned to the gate room just in time to see Volker establish a connection to the forest planet. With just fifteen minutes left, he’s dispatching the kino as ordered, and the probe is shortly through the wormhole and flying toward the treetops. Coming up beside him, Rush asks if he missed anything interesting while he and Chloe finished their calculations. The Colonel looks as if he wants to explain his strange encounter, but decides at length to say his time off was uneventful. They're just looking over the alert Rush noticed on the long-range sensors, wondering what the ship may have detected while it completes a follow-up scan.

                              Rubbing his hands together, Volker can't help but hope for some abandoned battleship or wondrous power source. Rush considers that fantasy, though the signal appears similar to the one he detected before leading them to a derelict seed ship. Finding another such vessel would be incredibly useful, though he can't understand why the signal would appear so garbled with noise. He hopes the second scan will filter it out enough to confirm the presence of a second seed ship, but he suggests they keep the possibility to themselves so as not to give the crew false hopes until they're sure.

                              It’s then that Brody, standing at a terminal of his own, asks them to come take a look at the kino footage. Peering over, Young doesn't immediately see anything out of the ordinary. But counting out loud beside him, Rush notes that there are nine columns of smoke rising from the surrounding countryside, evidence that five more drones had been shot down than they’d previously believed.

                              Brody, Volker, and Rush don’t see any special significance in the statistic, but its effect on Young is immediate. Eyes wide and mouth ajar, he quickly composes himself and asks if there’s anything else of interest. Scanning the display, Brody says there aren't any other noticeable changes from before their teams’ evacuation. Minus the additional crash sites, it looks like every other abandoned Novan world they've encountered. Young tells him to keep checking the feed until the gate disconnects automatically for the jump into FTL, then excuses himself with the claim that he forgot his uniform jacket on his couch.

                              Rushing back through the corridors, Young reaches his quarters just as the ship makes its jump. Slipping inside, he takes a long look at the chess set and the nine captured black pieces. It may just be a coincidence, but then again, it may not. And if it’s not, he suddenly wonders what his visitor really meant in claiming that his “pieces” may not survive their next “game.” Opening the cultural database, he navigates to the section on early human history, then the ancient Greeks. A brief section details the Titan creation mythos, the devastating Titanomachy, and their eventual imprisonment in Tartarus. Leaning back in his chair, Young wipes a hand over his face and glances at his table. He walks over and removes the empty glasses, then makes to put away his chess set. After a brief pause, he resets the pieces instead, advancing a white pawn before grabbing his jacket and leaving the room.

                              The cultural database remains open on his laptop, the screen filled with the Titans’ story. The ancient gods and their ancient leader, the god of time himself: Kronos.
                              Last edited by s09119; 04 November 2013, 06:53 PM.
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                                So, here we are again!

                                I'd like to (once again) apologize for a long absence and sudden, unannounced return with new episodes of my continuation. These latest (Universe's "Flotilla" and "Eldest," for those keeping track) were written months and months ago, and I've been guiltily ignoring them while I went about my daily life. I finally decided that not posting them was ridiculous, so I logged into GateWorld -- gods, it's been a while -- and posted them.

                                For anyone still playing Where In the World is s09119, I've been busy. Too busy, really. University came and went, I spent a couple years with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and now I'm working for the State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario. Pro tip: don't move to Canada unless you want to get fat, because poutine is deadly.

                                I've always been rewatching some old favorites like Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5, and, of course Stargate. It's made me miss this community and all those hours I spent crafting an expanded universe for SG-1, the Atlantis Expedition, and the crew of the Destiny. So without making any promises, I will say that I've gone back to sketching out plotlines and whatnot. I don't know if anyone cares to read anymore -- and by the crickets chirping in here, maybe no one does -- but I really would like to finish what I started.
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