The Touch of Prometheus

Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate Universe belong to MGM. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.

AU/SGU/FO: The crew of Destiny comes out of stasis. Their first concern is Eli but he is not onboard and neither are his remains. When they check their position they discover the ship has travelled a greater distance than anticipated. A tantalizing mystery awaits them laced with unforeseen outcomes.

Chapter 1

What happened?

Eli Star Log: Day 2

(Eli appears on the observation deck. Behind him, Destiny cleaves through space)

It is the second day of my exile. I began work on the broken pod.

Wait… (Eli grins and a soft chuckle follows)

Exile is not the right choice of words. I chose to stay behind – be the last – the last man standing… (soft chuckle)…I love that movie. Anyway I chose to stay behind because I have greater chance of fixing the pod, the only one that is broken and if not to push a daisy here and there when it comes to it.

I guess Colonel Young much like myself did not trust Rush to do it. (silence). Turn off life support when the time comes.

(sighs deeply)

And frankly I did not believe Rush could complete the job – fixing the pod that is. I told them both – I'm smarter than Rush. I suppose I was happy living in his shadow but not anymore. I knew it is something I had to do.

(image disrupts and reappears in the mess hall. Eli is sitting on a table eating some of the last of the fresh tomatoes (so to speak). He looks up and says): This is something we could call a tomato. It does look like one but I got to tell you it isn't – a tomato after a fashion.

(he grins and takes a bite).

The last of fresh supplies this is. I have for another three or four days after that I'll hit the cans. (he laughs). The last meals of the walking dead (he adds with hoarser voice then laughs)… I guess it is time to get to work. (his hand reaches out and the image disappears).

(the image reappeared in the stasis room where the last pod stood vacant. The Kino turns to Eli).

To be honest, I'm not sure why the pod isn't working. Yes, I said it is broken but fixing it may turn out to be a bit more complicated than I originally anticipated.

Damn these ancients – would it have hurt to leave a manual, a comprehensive manual. (Eli rolls eyes and shakes head).

Anyway, I think I made some progress deciphering how the program regulates the power supply to the pod. Of course, I have much to do before…well fixing it…as I have not yet discovered why it does not engage the damn pod. Well, I know why the damn thing is broken...

I have to find now some materials…onboard…to fix the damn thing. I guess I have to cannibalize from secondary systems.

(the image disrupts again and reappears in Engineering).

Wow, this place is big. But I think the computer indicated the parts I could use. I should have paid more attention when it comes to torches. Perhaps I should have asked Grier to help out.

(Eli turns to the Kino).

If only I could figure out how to communicate with him while he dozes off sweetly in the stasis pod that would be cool. (Eli chuckles).

(image vanishes and reappears. Eli is the cargo bay rummaging for some tools. He gets his hand on a torch, a pair of protective glasses and turns to the Kino). Here we go!

(sparks fly in every direction but the torch's narrow flame focuses. Eli gets to work. Hours seem to merge before he finally puts down the torch and extinguishes the flame. A look of satisfaction on his face is visible.) Well, the first attempt is not as bad as I thought. Maybe there is a light in the tunnel… (the image vanishes).

Eli Star Log: Day 3

(Eli chuckles). Star Log, it is just like Star Trek although there it is Captain's Log but still it has a nice ring to it.

Yesterday's hard work yielded some positive results. I managed to sew some parts together that hopefully sometime in the future, close future, will help me fix the physical aspect of the pod, the software will take longer.

There is a downfall as I discovered this morning. The usage of oxygen was greater than I thought and energy usage too. I may have lost a day's worth or twenty-two three hours. Anyway it doesn't really matter. In the future I'll probably lose a few more days. I guess that leaves a week or so worth of anything.

(image vanishes. The Kino footage resumes on the observation deck. Eli's busy putting parts together while the Kino floats around. There are a few pads spread around on the floor. Eli looks from time to time at them checking something and continues his puzzle work. Hours fly by and the view outside remains as always really cool. The wind of star-dust rushes by the ship's structure advancing on its course).

(The Kino leaves the observation deck and wanders around the dim corridors seemingly aimlessly. Startlingly Eli's face appears before it). Boo! (he shouts). Gotcha you by the conk! (he laughs) I bet you did not see this one coming.

(The Kino resumes its interrupted wandering. Eli vanishes out of sight. He soon reappears stirring the Kino down a corridor to the mess hall. Sitting down, he starts eating again. He has a piece of paper where he had drawn in great detail the stasis pod).

Found a detailed picture of the damn stasis pod. It was in a sub directory cleverly hidden, if you're wondering, Rush. Translating is proving a bit difficult but I'm getting there. But man, your writing could use some polishing. Chloë is a different story – neat writing style clean and readable.

Soon, hopefully, I will have a better idea of it and a solution to my problem. So far, I think I've fixed a part of a part of a problem.

(Eli's in the stasis room with his headphones listening and gently moving in rhythm of the song he's listening to. He gets up and stats dancing around. His moves are anything but what can be called a dance, a real one anyway).

One part here… one there… everything fits, and fits, and fits, and aw! (he exclaims holding his left thumb up. It is pounding. He sucks it). That hurts. For future reference, dancing and fixing a pod do not go well together. (he gets back to work) What wouldn't I give for a nice workshop with the proper tools and a smith of course…?

(the image disrupts and returns in Eli's quarters)

Another day passed. I made progress. What luck it was I found the detailed schematic of the pod, I should tell you. I feel confident in fixing the damn thing.

Eli Star Log: Day 4

It seems I got up late today. It is already noon at least in decent places and we all know I'm not in a decent place. So today's work involves fixing the 'pipes' or tubules that go in the back of the pod and give for the cooling whatever of the Ancients.

And later today, the evening by my estimates, the cooling whatever will be fixed then I can concentrate on the structural part of the pod. When it seals it has to seal if not I'll be dead and unpleasantly so.

(the image reforms in the stasis room. Eli's working at the right side of the pod. His hand seems to be somewhere at the back of the pod).

I can't reach there – dammit! (he exclaims angrily and hits the side of the pod). Chloë, if I could only borrow your hands, it would make one heck of a difference. (he puffs and puffs. After a few hours of try he gives up. The image reforms at the observation deck. Eli sits on the floor gazing at the stars outside).

Today's a bust. I couldn't reach behind to attach the damn thing. I'm certain the Ancients had some midgets with them. (then he suddenly turns to the Kino and says): Sorry, Chloë, I'm not implying you are a midget. But I can certainly use thinner hands. (he relaxes back on the floor).

(heavy sigh)

I will try this again tomorrow – somehow.

(the Kino footage ends)

Eli Star Log: Day 5

(Eli's butt can be seen in the same position as yesterday. He is trying to attach the hose at the back of the pod. He is puffing a lot). Get in dammit! Darn those bastards. Can't they make something simpler? Oi, stupid ship, a little help!

(Silence, there is only silence and Eli's puffing noises. He pulls back his face reddened but with a devilish smile). Eureka! (he exclaims triumphant. He gets up and walks to the console pushing buttons. A diagnostic panel appears and Eli reads it carefully). Alright, we made contact. One problem down a few more to go and off we jump into the sweet sleep's embrace.

(Eli takes a look at the schematic of the pod. He nods satisfied his eyes lit up with joy and excitement).

(The Kino resumes later. Eli's facial expression shows disappointment and growing redness. Something obviously had gone wrong. He exhales and inhales ghastly, his pulse racing. Something had definitely gone wrong).

What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? Why is there always something to screw the pouch?

(It apparently is something that can't be fixed or perhaps not onboard. Eli's mind seems to race. He then thrusts head). There has to be a way around this. Think Eli! Think! (he repeats that latter over and over). There has to be something, something. (his eyes narrow and his forehead wrinkle of the effort. His hand taps on the side of the bed's frame).

(His eyes closed and he is fast asleep despite the fright of today's discovery whatever it was).

Eli Star Log: Day 6

(The entirety of the morning and early afternoon the Kino follows Eli but he speaks not. His forehead wrinkled his eyes focused. He moves from room to room, from cargo bay to cargo bay seeking materials. His eyes pinned at the schematic of the pod.

He probably had found solution to whatever problem got him down the day before. The torch was active again and many times. Cables, hoses, and other tiny and slightly bigger objects passed through his hands while he welded and mended, and broke and reassembled.

His puffing was the only noise in the growing silence. Wiping his forehead from time to time to remove the sweat, Eli continued his work.

The day passed by with no sound other than the puffing. Eli got to bed early and was fast asleep).

Eli Star Log: Day 7

(It is the observation deck again. Eli's sitting on the floor at his favorite spot with his back at the bench. The schematic and other pads lay around).

Three days before the end it is. Now whether it is going to be the end of my life or the end of this antagonizing work it remains to be seen. (he exhales closing his eyes). I have managed to solve most of the problems but there remains to be seen whether the pod is going to activate properly or not. I think there may be a few kinks I haven't worked out yet but I guess I'll see to them once I activate the pod.

(He turns at the Kino). It is testing time. Cross your fingers!

(He stands up, takes the Kino with him and heads to the stasis room. There he leaves the Kino to float while he gets to work on the console.

What seems to be like a few hours on it, Eli presses the right combination and the hatch or door of the pod closes with silent hissing. Eli focuses on the diagnostic panel. His expression shows anticipation.

A beep is heard. The diagnostic is over. Eli studies the result. He sighs. He closes eyes. He inhales and then exhales, and opens eyes): YES! (His screams and his hands fly high. He starts dancing around then calms down and returns to the console). It works. Dammit it works! It works.

(He sits down on the floor holding his left hand at his chest, right around the heart. He stands up). Now, I have to make sure it is not only a fluke. (he rubs his hands together and moves to the console). Ok, diagnostic, set for twelve-hour period, testing long-term usage…and presto! (he presses a button). Cross your fingers, people! In twelve hours, I'll either join you in sleep or hang myself!

(The Kino footage resumes on the observation deck where Eli stands at the railing his gaze turned towards the depths of the cosmos. A smile dances on his lips. He is so close now. He managed to solve a problem he doubted even the Ancients could).

Twelve Hours Later (Eli Star Log: Day 8)

(The Kino is in the stasis room. Eli is at the console. The diagnostic had just finished the analysis. Eli's smile had grown). YES! YES! It works! (Thumbs up). Now to shut down all systems, setting the countdown, and Presto, Maestro! It is set to two minutes after I go to sleep. Well, guys, three years from now, we will be together. Oh, YES! (he presses a button and moves away from the console. The Kino turns and shows him enter the stasis pod. The hatch slides close. Eli enters stasis. The lights on the ship go dark).

Three Years later…

Doctor Nicholas Rush moved away from the screen and looked at Colonel Everett Young with mixed feelings. It was only at the end they started trusting and understanding one another.

"How is that possible, Rush?" Everett asked with obvious confusion.

"I don't know!" Nicholas replied turning his gaze away from the colonel and back to the screen where the logs of the ship stood on the display. Something here did not add up.

The Kino footage confirmed that on the eighth day Eli entered the stasis pod and yet he was not in it three years later. The sensors on the ship also said otherwise. The last pod never activated in the allotted time. The maddening part was that the Kino footage was genuine too. There was no tampering. It was a curious contradiction.

"I don't know!" Nicholas repeated placing his hands on his face. He exhaled loudly and with frustration. "But I plan to find out!" And it is not the last time he would say that.

Everett only nodded. They had to find out what happened to Eli. A curious contradiction, Rush had said, Everett agreed.

"There is one more thing." Nicholas said after a while.

"What?" Everett looked at him.

"Mr. Broody wants to see us on the bridge!"

"Can't it wait?"

"He said it was urgent."

"Right," Everett sighed. "Let's go then!"

They left the Kino room and headed to the bridge. Mr. Broody, Chloë and Matt were there. Confusion was present in their eyes and even fear as the two observed.

"Mr. Broody, you said it is urgent." Nicholas reminded.

Mr. Broody swallowed but did not answer. Chloë did instead. "We have a problem!"

"Other than Eli that is," Matt added.

"What is it?" Everett asked looking at them expectantly.

"We are not at the target galaxy." Chloë replied with a low voice.

"WHAT?" Nicholas exclaimed leaping towards the control console.

"What do you mean we're not?" Everett asked trying to get some clarification.

"According to the sensor logs, Destiny skipped the target galaxy and…" Chloe paused and then added. "And the next two…Colonel, we are in the fourth galaxy on the path of Destiny."

"That doesn't sound right." Everett exclaimed bewildered and sought Rush who had promptly went to check Chloe's claim. "Rush?"

Nicholas did not respond. His eyes had found the sensor data and widened in wild surprise. Chloë was not wrong. They were indeed three galaxies away from the target galaxy and again something did not add up. For one, it was not possible. Destiny simply did have neither the power nor the time to go that fast and far.

"Rush?" Everett repeated raising slightly his voice hoping for some answers.

"She's right, Colonel. We skipped three galaxies."

"How's that possible?"

"I wish I had an answer." Nicholas said continuing to study the data. He added sometime later rather frustratingly. "This makes no sense. It is not possible."

"What makes no sense?" Everett asked.

"This sensor reading – it is impossible! Destiny simply could not have done this."

"Why?"

Nicholas calmed down and looked at him. "Colonel, it has been exactly three years since we went into the pods. For three years time, Destiny could not have possibly covered this distance. It is not possible!"

"And yet here we are!"

"I don't understand how this is possible." Nicholas thrust head.

"Alright, let's calm down and think this through." Everett said with calming tone. "Could the ship have – I don't know passed through a wormhole or something?"

"Inside FTL?" Nicholas looked at him incredulously. "I don't think so!"

"Then what happened?"

"I have no idea." Nicholas replied. He was feeling helpless for the first time in some time. "But I plan on finding out."

"Use whoever you must to find the answers to this mystery."

"I will!"

"In the meantime, we will need a planet to resupply."

"There is one – fifteen hours away." Mr. Broody informed.

Everett looked at Rush who nodded. "Alright," He sighed. "I'll go check to see if everything else is still where we left it. Keep me appraised."

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Lordheaven