I should be studying....
But the massively huge overfed plot bunny will not be quiet. More chapters of the crossover fic. Enjoy!
As always, much love to my beta
switch842
Previous chapters can be found in the archives of my LJ and links are cross posted on
crossoverfic
Title: Dual Realities (a working title) Chapters 10-12/?
Author:
erin_anderson
Fandoms: Babylon 5/Stargate SG-1
Rating: PG
Warnings: Set between ‘The Illusion of Truth” and “Atonement” in B5 Season 4 and set between “It’s Good to be King” and “Full Alert” SG-1 Season 8
Summary: Jack takes the time machined enhanced puddle jumper for a test drive round the universe and ends up, through a rip in space and time, taking a journey to the last, best hope for peace; Babylon 5!
Disclaimers: I don’t own any of the B5 universe or the Stargate universe, I am just playing, please don’t sue me, I love MGM and JMS!
Chapter Ten
Earlier that day, Ivanova had collected Sam from her quarters and explained to her that there was a large advanced database on the planet that Babylon 5 orbited. It was possible that the database could contain information that would be helpful in determining a way back home for her and her friends. Intrigued, Sam happily accepted the invitation to travel down to the planet. Accompanying them would be Delenn, the Minbari that was the keeper of the database down on Epsilon 3 was an old friend and mentor of Delenn, his name was Draal and she was very much looking forward to visiting with him again. Accompanying them would be Delenn and Draal. He was another Minbari and the keeper of the database down on Epsilon 3. He was also an old friend and mentor of Delenn and she was very much looking forward to visiting with him again.
Entering the docking bay area, Sam marveled at the construction of the White Star fleet. “This ship is amazing!” Sam said, her eyes widening as she tried to take in everything about the ship at once. Ducking low, Sam ran her hand lightly along the outside of the ship, marveling at the texture of the ship’s exterior, the interesting camouflage type pattern, the way the ship just seemed to move and undulate to her touch. “Truly astounding.” Sam said, breathless. Turning around, she headed back over to where Ivanova and Delenn were standing, watching her with almost bemused expressions on their face.
“Would you like to see the interior? You could probably even take a turn in piloting the ship, the basic navigational controls are very easy to learn,” Delenn said obligingly. The trio entered the ship, walking down the muted corridors and entering the bridge.
Sam darted from one console to the next as Delenn gave a running commentary on the White Star fleet and it’s brief history.
“The White Star fleet consists of medium-sized combat spaceships employing a mix of Vorlon and Minbari technology. It is equipped with Minbari stealth systems and an advanced gravitic drive that manipulates gravity, giving it great speed and maneuverability. The crew has artificial gravity and a holographic view system. While armed with Minbari weapons only, it packs more punch than an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer,” Delenn paused, “Or at least that’s what John always says. I am not sure how much punch an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer has,” she said, with a curious look on her face.
“Like all Minbari warships, the White Stars also are equipped with a Minbari cloak. The stealth device does not make the ship truly invisible to the naked eye however, rather invisible to scanners,” Ivanova said, finishing up for Delenn as Sam studied the control chair and raised an eyebrow at the other two women. Gesturing toward the seat, Ivanova nodded and Sam sat gingerly down in the chair and gasped a bit at the holographic display that dropped down in front of her, showing the docking bay area. Issuing some commands in Minbari, Delenn soon had the ship out of the docking bay and hovering in space.
Heading down towards the planet, Sam watched the display changing as the approached the surface. “Is this a real time display?” Sam asked, in awe. “It is, what you are seeing is an accurate representation of the space outside. It is most useful in battle, not many races have technology at this level. The White Star Fleet is but a handful of ships not solely in Minbari hands that has this capability.” Delenn said. Looking at Sam, she smiled a bit, her expression melancholy. Seeing her face, Sam looked at with a questioning expression.
“I think my race has been advanced for so long, that we have forgotten what it is like to be in awe of something.” Delenn explained, gesturing at the display. Sam just smiled back at the alien woman, understanding the sentiment.
Once docked, the women exited the ship, Sam throwing a mournful look over her shoulder at the ship. She could spend weeks inside and still not know everything about it. That look was quickly replaced with more excitement as they encountered Draal and he started taking them through a quick walkabout of the great machine.
After their tour was completed, the elderly Minbari turned and regarded Sam with a somewhat stern expression. “So you require the aid of the Great Machine to help you in returning to your time?” he asked, his voice echoing through the great cavern.
“That’s right, sir. I don’t know how to open the void again or how to ensure that the void will deliver me to the right time and universe,” Sam admitted, feeling a little intimidated.
Draal paused for a second, he almost seemed to be conversing with himself. “Give me a moment, I may have found something that may aid you in your quest.” Draal disappeared then and an alarmed Sam looked at Delenn and Ivanova.
“Don’t worry, he always does that. He’ll be back,” Delenn said assuredly.
Just then, a slightly shaggy, slightly hunchbacked humanoid looking alien came stumbling around a corner, lugging some coils and other odds and ends of electrical equipment. Seeing him, Sam looked puzzled for a moment. “I thought Draal was alone down here?” she asked Ivanova.
“Oh that’s Zathras,” she volunteered, looking with some chagrin at the stumbling figure. “He helps down here, helps Draal with stuff. I’m not really sure what he is, but he’s here and there you have it,” Ivanova seemed as perplexed by Zathras as Sam was.
Just then Zathras dropped several pieces of whatever it was that he was carrying and Sam instinctively moved forward to help retrieve the dropped pieces. “Here, let me help you,” she said, trying to help him with his load.
“Zathras is used to being beast of burden to other people's needs,” the enigmatic alien replied, adjusting his arms a bit and trying to take back on the dropped pieces. “Very sad life. Probably have very sad death. But, at least there is symmetry. Zathras is used to this fact,” Zathras peered up at Sam, confusion on his face. “You are new.
“Yes I am new. We just came here, from another universe. My friends and I, we’re trapped here. We’re hoping that this place can help us get back home,” Sam said simply, handing back to Zathras the pieces that he had dropped.
The alien seemed to be musing for a second his face screwed up in an intense look of concentration. “Yes, Zathras see. But you do not see what Zathras see. Zathras knows what is it that you seek to find. The Machine will help you yes, but first you have to help yourself,” Zathras said cryptically. “But of course no one ever listens to poor Zathras no, he's quite mad they say. It is good that Zathras does not mind, has even grown to like it.” Zathras seemed to have finished what he wanted to say to Sam, for he moved off then, dragging wires and hoses behind him as he stumbled around the corner and out of sight.
Sam walked back over to Ivanova, who seemed to be torn between amusement and exasperation. “What did he mean by that?” Sam asked, confused.
“I have no idea. I never have any idea what anyone is talking about,” she said, as Delenn merely shrugged her shoulders at Sam.
Just then Draal reappeared and triumphantly extended a small data crystal to Delenn, who took it with a bow. “The Great Machine has found something that will aid you. May it serve you well,” the elder Minbari then disappeared from view again.
The trio trooped back to the White Star and took off, heading back to the station. Ivanova helped Sam navigate some of the basic controls while Delenn took the helm, showing her the ship’s thrusters, weapons consoles and communication capabilities. Sam was barely able to take it all in, she had so many questions but wasn’t even sure where to begin. Ivanova promised that she would send several data files to the BabCom unit in her quarters so that she could peruse the information at her leisure. Sam was pretty sure she wasn’t going to get any sleep anytime soon.
As soon as they docked the ship, Sam was gone, tearing back to the boy’s quarters and inserting the data crystal, watching as the information scrolled across the screen. Her heart sank; it was like trying to learn Asgaard technology all over again. Turning and looking at Teal’c, who had graduated to sitting up fully on the couch, she quirked an eyebrow at him. “This may take a while,” she said, sighing heavily as she turned back to the screen. “A really long while.”
Chapter Eleven
“Green sector is off limits to anyone but authorized personnel. If you are not authorized personnel, do not depart on this level.” The automated voice was starting to drive Jack crazy. He figured he probably wasn’t authorized personnel, but he couldn’t see any reason why this particular level was off limits. Exiting the transport tube, Jack wandered the halls, whistling under his breath. He had been down to the Zocalo and found it noisy, smelly and way too full of people. He liked this much better, much quieter. And fewer people trying to pickpocket you. When he remarked on this to a shopkeeper, the guy merely snorted and told him to avoid down below then. Jack wasn’t sure where down below was, but he figured he didn’t want to go there. So, he went up instead and found himself on this level. The captain had provided them with communication links that attached to the back of the hand with some sort of biological agent. Taking them off sucked; they ripped the hairs right off the back of your hand. The only upside that Jack could see was that they couldn’t meld with anyone else once they had melded with a person’s unique genetic makeup. That made them pretty interesting and Jack made a mental note to see about taking one of them back to the SGC with him. If they got back. Jack really hoped that Sam found something.
Speaking of, pushing the button that he hoped was the right one, Jack said, “Sam, do you read me?”
Back in the room, Sam was busy rubbing eyes that were bleary from staring at a computer screen for to many hours, when she heard Jack’s voice coming through the link that Ivanova had given her. Picking it up, she said into it, “Yes, sir? Where are you?”
“Someplace called Green Sector. I think it’s where the ambassadors live. You have to be authorized to have access to this sector, though they don’t make you have to have a code to use the transporter. Not that secure really,” Jack said, marveling at the seeming lack of security. “At any rate, I was just seeing if you found anything down on the planet.”
“I think so, sir. I just need some time to understand it. They are so far ahead of us technologically, it’s a bit like reading Greek sir,” Sam sighed wearily. “Teal’c is trying to help. Hopefully I can give you some good news in a couple of hours.”
“I have faith in you, Carter. You’ll figure it out. Ain’t no one smarter, not in two universes,” Jack said, in his best reassuring tone. Ending the call on his end, Jack swung around a corner and came across a couple of aliens, with very weird hair. Seriously, their hair was standing on end. It was quite strange and Jack figured that if they were hanging around there, then they were diplomats. Which meant that they would be diplomatic if Jack went up and interrupted their little argument. Because Jack was bored and he was pretty sure he hadn’t met anyone from their particular race yet.
“Vir! I am fine. Stop with your infernal pestering and mothering. If I needed to be watched and consoled, I would have summoned Timov,” Londo said in an irritated tone. “There is nothing going on that you need to be aware of and I would really appreciate it if you would stop hovering!” Turning to see who it was that was interrupting their conversation, Londo sneered at the newcomer. “What are you smirking at?” he said over Vir’s loud stammering. “Yes, what is it, Vir?” Londo said, looking at his disconcerted fellow Centauri.
“Londo, this is one of the visitors I was telling you about. If I recall correctly, you are the one called Jack O’Neill. He is a General, I believe,” Vir said, looking to Jack for confirmation.
Nodding, Jack stuck out a hand at the older alien, “Yes, sir, that would be me, General Jack O’Neill. Alien visitor and overall nice guy.”
Londo looked at Jack’s hand with a look of hesitation before shaking it. “Londo Mollari, Ambassador to Centauri Prime. This is Vir Cotto, my attaché. He had mentioned that we had visitors, but I did not know they were of a military nature,” this obviously disconcerted Londo a bit.
“Well, we’re not this Earth’s military. In fact, I know nothing about this universe’s affairs as far as Earth goes. In fact, half the time I don’t even know what’s going on in the affairs of my Earth!” Jack said peering at the ambassador curiously. “I gotta ask though. Seriously, what’s with the hair?”
Londo’s hand unconsciously went up to his hair, a brief look of confusion crossing his face before he broke out in a sudden bark of laughter. Grinning, Londo gripped Jack’s hand tightly and slung an arm over his shoulder. “You, I like! You are very funny! Is everyone who came with you as funny as you are?” he asked, as he steered Jack towards what Jack presumed were the Centauri ambassador’s quarters, the nervous Vir trailing along behind them.
Entering, Londo left Jack to step into the kitchen area and set several bottles along the counter. Looking around Jack marveled at the interesting blend of colors and furniture that Londo had in his quarters. “Well, Sam can have a good sense of humor. Not right now though; she’s too nervous and stressed about finding us a way home. And Teal’c, he can have a pretty dry sense of humor. You really have to know Teal’c to understand his humor. And as far as Daniel goes…” Jack stopped as he was interrupted by Vir, who had sat down quietly on one of the ornate couches.
“Daniel is a very interesting person to talk to. He asks a lot of questions,” Vir said smiling a bit.
“Ahh, so you’ve met Daniel then?” Jack asked. He knew that Daniel had spoken with a couple of aliens but didn’t get their names when he had visited him earlier. Daniel had still been pretty tired though Dr. Franklin was pretty sure he’d be able to discharge him the next day.
“Oh yes, Lennier and I had a bit of a conversation with him last night,” Vir said, looking over at Londo. “That’s what I came by to talk to you about last night. But you were already asleep.” The way Vir said that last word made it pretty clear to Jack that that wasn’t the term he wanted to use. Based on the amount of alcohol that Londo splashed into first one glass for himself and then one for Jack, Jack was pretty sure he meant to say ‘passed out’.
Sniffing the noxious smelling brew, Jack looked over at Londo. “Well I hope the stuff tastes better than it smells,” he said, before tilting the liquid back and swallowing.
“This is the finest brevari there is on Centauri Prime. It caused me considerable expense and took great effort to have it sent here to Babylon 5. Enjoy it!” Londo exclaimed he took a large swallow.
Setting the glass down on the counter, Jack felt the warm liquid tracing a line down his sternum to settle into pleasant warmth in his stomach. “That’s not half bad,” Jack commented, as he motioned for Londo to fill his glass up again. “So what’s the most interesting thing about being a Centauri? Besides the hair of course,” Jack said, as Londo walked over to Vir and shoved a glass in his hand, ignoring Vir’s protestations
“The best thing about being a Centauri?” Londo thoughtfully studied the glass in front of him for a second the merriment that he had exhibited seconds earlier replaced with some of the grimness that he had displayed when Jack had first encountered him. “The best thing about being a Centauri is understanding that even though the rest of the universe has written off your race as being a mere shadow of their former selves, you alone know the difference,” Londo said, a small smile gracing his face.
Looking over at Vir, who merely shook his head, Jack lifted an eyebrow and wisely said nothing. Best to keep his mouth shut until he knew more about the situation. This was a piece of advice that he had learned to live by a long time ago.
Just as quickly though, the grimness passed and Londo was back to his enthusiastic self, lifting a glass and proclaiming a toast to Jack and his fellow visitors. Smiling, Jack returned the toast.
Several glasses and two hours later, Jack wasn’t sure when he had gotten drunk, he hadn’t intended on being drunk. Apparently the brevari was a one of those types of booze where you could drink a lot, and not really feel drunk until it all hit at once. Sprawled on the couch, Jack surveyed the room with bleary eyes. Just a moment ago, Londo had been drunkenly singing some old Centauri military song at an alarming volume and completely off key. Now all he was doing was snoring. Vir was busy trying to collect the broken bottles and assorted glasses and knickknacks that Londo had knocked on the floor in the throes of his drunken enthusiasm.
“Why do you let him treat you like that?” Jack asked, his words almost slurring into themselves. It took great effort to make himself understood. Vir started, apparently he hadn’t realized that Jack himself wasn’t passed out.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Vir said, not looking at Jack as he shoved Londo fully onto the couch and draped a blanket over him.
“You know exactly what I mean. Treating you like dirt, like you’re his personal slave!” Jack said, vehemently this time, struggling into more of a sitting position. He wasn’t sure his legs would support him if he stood, but he didn’t need to stand to make his point. “I dunno if it’s your culture and that’s the way things are done where you come from. But from where I come from, diplomats treat their aides in a slightly better fashion. They certainly don’t yell at them whenever they feel like and make them drink with them when they clearly don’t want to.”
Vir turned and looked at Jack, his eyes liquid pools of sadness and melancholy. “He’s my friend. And he’s in trouble. He wasn’t always this way and he doesn’t always treat me like this. I have learned a lot from Londo. Things I wanted to know and things I needed to know. The things I needed to know are the things that I fear the most,” Vir sighed then, walking over to Jack and offering an arm to help him stand. “Here, let me help you back to your quarters. Your friends will be looking for you if I don’t take you back.”
Jack nodded, processing what Vir had said, stumbling a bit as he first started walking, but by the time they reached the transport tube, he was able to walk more or less on his own. Not necessarily in a straight line, but that was okay. Leaning against the wall of the transport tube, Jack looked at Vir through one open eye, the other closed to try and ward off the impending headache. “I had you pegged wrong. You are definitely a lot smarter then you act. You hide things very well behind that little façade you got going on. That will probably serve you well one day,” he said, before closing both eyes and waiting for the tube to reach its destination.
“Thanks, I think. It sounded like a compliment,” Vir said, as they exited the tube and walked down to Jack’s quarters. Opening the door, Jack saw the door to the bedroom closed and it was evidenced from the reflection of the flames of burning candles inside the room, that Teal’c was inside, probably in deep meditation. Sam had fallen asleep in front of the computer, the screen still lit up and displaying some incomprehensible mathematical equation. On the desk under Sam’s head there were piles of papers with numbers and words written on them, some of them crumpled, some of them with stuff crossed out with big fat black X’s. In short, it looked like the desk of Sam’s lab back home.
Rolling his eyes a bit, Jack woke Sam up with a rough shake of her shoulder. She turned bloodshot eyes on him, regarded him blankly a moment before mumbling, “What time is it?” followed up with a wrinkling of her nose and making a face at him and saying, “Have you been drinking, sir?”
“It’s very late and yes, I have had a few. Why don’t you hit the hay on a real bed and pick this back up after you have had some rack time?” Jack suggested as he thumbed over his shoulder in the general direction of Sam’s quarters.
Sam nodded and with a second glance at Vir, mumbling something under her breath about Don King, she left and headed to her own quarters. Vir said his goodnight to Jack and left. Jack took the time to kick his boots off and command the lights off before he flopped down on the couch and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Daniel had spent the day chatting more with Lennier and Delenn. The more he spoke with the Minbari delegation, the more convinced he was that he needed to have some sort of record of what he learned from them. Their culture was so advanced, so knowledgeable about the universe Daniel had already learned much about their culture and also picked up a few words in Minbari. For their part, they didn’t seem to mind answering his questions. They also did not hesitate to ask Daniel questions as well, especially in regards to the Ancients. They seemed to be quite intrigued by the whole idea of Ascension and exhibited awe over the fact that Daniel had once been ascended. The fact that he could barely remember most of his time as an ascended being did not seem to faze them. Daniel had talked Lennier into fetching his pack from the pile of stuff that the crew had hastily grabbed from the jumper as they brought the team to med-bay the first day. Lennier had to wait till Dr. Franklin had retired for the night though, because Daniel was still not cleared to do anything more then lie there. Only the promise of being discharged the next day kept Daniel from complaining too much. Once the good doctor had left, Lennier brought his pack in and Daniel was busy transcribing his experiences by hand in his notebook as fast as he could scribble, while Lennier was absorbed in one of the notebooks that contained some of Daniel’s notes on the Ancients.
“So the Ancients are the builders of your network of Stargates, is that correct?” Lennier asked, looking over at Daniel.
“Yes they built the Stargates and seeded them among planets all over our galaxy. They were one of the four ancient races that formed a great alliance,” Daniel said, still scribbling away and not looking up.
Lennier thumbed to a page in the notebook and nodded. “Yes, the Nox, the Furlings, the Ancients and a race called the Asgaard. And you have met three of these four races but seem to have the best relationship with the Asgaard,” Lennier said, his eyes moving down the page as he spoke.
Daniel set down the notebook he was writing in, his hand starting to ache. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed tired eyes before putting them back on and looking over at Lennier. “Yes, we are closest with the Asgaard, we have saved them from certain doom a number of times. They are at war with beings called Replicators. Basically they’re are metal bugs that replicate at all costs and wipe out entire planets,” Daniel settled back against his pillow, fatigue starting to set in.
“You must have a good relationship with the Ancients as well. I mean you were an Ancient for a time,” Lennier said, closing his book and setting it carefully with Daniel’s stuff.
“We have a good relationship with some Ancients,” Daniel said, a wry look on his face. “Ancients aren’t supposed to help lowers ascend. The Ancient who helped me ascend, her name is Oma Desala. She walks a fine line by helping people ascend and so do the people who follow her. I followed her, crossed that line and got sent back to Earth in human form with my memory wiped, as punishment for it. Most Ancients believe strongly in free will and as such believe that any interference in the lower planes of existence should be strictly forbidden. So yeah, on good terms with a couple of Ancients, most of the rest could care less.”
“That is not necessarily a poor point of view to have. You could have used the Ancient’s help during many an occasion during your war with the Goa’uld. But by having such a strict law against interference, it prevents the Ancients from using their powers as Ascended beings from posing as Gods. Which is exactly what you revile the Goa’uld for,” Lennier stated.
Daniel looked at Lennier, a surprised look crossing his face. “You know, I never thought of it that way. It would be very easy for the Ancients to set themselves up as Gods in the very beginning, when they first ascended. Maybe that was one of the reasons behind the establishment of that rule,” Daniel said, yawning just then and rubbing his face wearily.
“You are tired, I should let you rest. Thank you very much for allowing me to read your notes, they were very enlightening,” Lennier said. They exchanged goodnights and promises to meet again the next day after Daniel had been discharged. Once Lennier had left, Daniel commanded his light off marveling at the voice activated technology, and got comfortable before falling into a deep sleep.
Jack heard the door chiming long before he was able to get his eyes open. Fighting the raging headache that was doubtless due to his excessive alcohol consumption the night before, Jack forced blurry eyes open and forced himself to a standing position. Which he had evidently done too fast because just as quickly he stood, he was heading back down again, only to be steadied by Teal’c’s strong hand. “I will get the door O’Neill,” Teal’c said simply, as Jack sagged back down onto the couch and Teal’c headed for the door.
Opening it revealed Captain Sheridan to be standing on the other side, the enigmatic Delenn as always by his side. “Good day Captain, Delenn. How may we be of assistance to you?” Teal’c asked, bowing his head in respect to the pair before gesturing for them to enter.
Entering, Sheridan regarded Jack with an amused glance. “Spent the night with Londo, eh?” he asked a touch of laughter in his voice.
Sagging back against the cushions of the couch, Jack regarded Sheridan with half closed eyes, both hands massaging his forehead in an effort to drive out the working crew that was busy hammering away at the inside of his skull. “Let me guess, he does this to many an unwary human,” Jack said, grimacing a little. He gratefully took the proffered glass of water and aspirin tablets that Teal’c handed him, swallowing them quickly.
“Londo has a habit of drinking people under the table. The worst part of it is, that you’ll see him later when you’re still suffering from a hangover and he’ll be as happy and cheerful as can be. Just like he hadn’t had a drop to drink the night before. It’s terrible,” Sheridan said chuckling a bit. “At any rate, I came here to offer you all a real guided tour of the station. It was suggested to be by my chief of security after he noticed somebody wandering around in an unauthorized part of the station,” Sheridan said, looking meaningfully at Jack.
“I must have missed that memo,” Jack said mumbling around the lip of the glass.
“We will obviously wait until your friend has been discharged from med-lab, which should be anytime now. In fact, he is probably already on his way here,” Delenn said. “I spoke with your Colonel Carter, she looked very stressed and did not seem interested in a tour of the station. I think she needs some time away from the problem of getting you home, it is not good for the mind and body to be so exhausted. I am hoping you can persuade her to join us.”
“That’s the nice thing about outranking her, I don’t need to persuade her to do anything. When the time comes, she’ll be there,” Jack said reassuringly. “We don’t need her frying her brains out on the issue. She’ll either come up with a way to get us home or she won’t.”
“Well then, let’s plan for sometime in the afternoon, after lunch. We have a council meeting here in a few minutes that will probably take up most of the morning,” Sheridan said, making a face before him and Delenn exited.
“I am most likely correct in presuming that meetings of government representatives here bear the same enthusiasm from Captain Sheridan as meetings of the same type bear for you back home,” Teal’c said, in his usual deadpan style.
“That would be a good assumption,” Jack said, stumbling back to his feet and heading for the shower. “T, can you see about rustling up some coffee, or whatever resembles coffee in this galaxy? I’m thinking that a shower and that are the only things that are likely to make me of use today,” he said over his shoulder as the door to the bathroom swung shut behind him.
Teal’c raised an eyebrow and looked around the kitchen quickly. Not seeing anything that resemble the caffeinated beverage that Daniel Jackson and O’Neill so seemed to cherish, he decided to head out and down to the marketplace called the Zocalo, which he had been assured was easy to find. Not only was he eager to see more of this place that he had been restricted to, but he also really wanted to find O’Neill coffee. He was so much less cranky with it than without.
As always, much love to my beta
switch842
Previous chapters can be found in the archives of my LJ and links are cross posted on
crossoverfic
Title: Dual Realities (a working title) Chapters 10-12/?
Author:
erin_anderson
Fandoms: Babylon 5/Stargate SG-1
Rating: PG
Warnings: Set between ‘The Illusion of Truth” and “Atonement” in B5 Season 4 and set between “It’s Good to be King” and “Full Alert” SG-1 Season 8
Summary: Jack takes the time machined enhanced puddle jumper for a test drive round the universe and ends up, through a rip in space and time, taking a journey to the last, best hope for peace; Babylon 5!
Disclaimers: I don’t own any of the B5 universe or the Stargate universe, I am just playing, please don’t sue me, I love MGM and JMS!
Chapter Ten
Earlier that day, Ivanova had collected Sam from her quarters and explained to her that there was a large advanced database on the planet that Babylon 5 orbited. It was possible that the database could contain information that would be helpful in determining a way back home for her and her friends. Intrigued, Sam happily accepted the invitation to travel down to the planet. Accompanying them would be Delenn, the Minbari that was the keeper of the database down on Epsilon 3 was an old friend and mentor of Delenn, his name was Draal and she was very much looking forward to visiting with him again. Accompanying them would be Delenn and Draal. He was another Minbari and the keeper of the database down on Epsilon 3. He was also an old friend and mentor of Delenn and she was very much looking forward to visiting with him again.
Entering the docking bay area, Sam marveled at the construction of the White Star fleet. “This ship is amazing!” Sam said, her eyes widening as she tried to take in everything about the ship at once. Ducking low, Sam ran her hand lightly along the outside of the ship, marveling at the texture of the ship’s exterior, the interesting camouflage type pattern, the way the ship just seemed to move and undulate to her touch. “Truly astounding.” Sam said, breathless. Turning around, she headed back over to where Ivanova and Delenn were standing, watching her with almost bemused expressions on their face.
“Would you like to see the interior? You could probably even take a turn in piloting the ship, the basic navigational controls are very easy to learn,” Delenn said obligingly. The trio entered the ship, walking down the muted corridors and entering the bridge.
Sam darted from one console to the next as Delenn gave a running commentary on the White Star fleet and it’s brief history.
“The White Star fleet consists of medium-sized combat spaceships employing a mix of Vorlon and Minbari technology. It is equipped with Minbari stealth systems and an advanced gravitic drive that manipulates gravity, giving it great speed and maneuverability. The crew has artificial gravity and a holographic view system. While armed with Minbari weapons only, it packs more punch than an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer,” Delenn paused, “Or at least that’s what John always says. I am not sure how much punch an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer has,” she said, with a curious look on her face.
“Like all Minbari warships, the White Stars also are equipped with a Minbari cloak. The stealth device does not make the ship truly invisible to the naked eye however, rather invisible to scanners,” Ivanova said, finishing up for Delenn as Sam studied the control chair and raised an eyebrow at the other two women. Gesturing toward the seat, Ivanova nodded and Sam sat gingerly down in the chair and gasped a bit at the holographic display that dropped down in front of her, showing the docking bay area. Issuing some commands in Minbari, Delenn soon had the ship out of the docking bay and hovering in space.
Heading down towards the planet, Sam watched the display changing as the approached the surface. “Is this a real time display?” Sam asked, in awe. “It is, what you are seeing is an accurate representation of the space outside. It is most useful in battle, not many races have technology at this level. The White Star Fleet is but a handful of ships not solely in Minbari hands that has this capability.” Delenn said. Looking at Sam, she smiled a bit, her expression melancholy. Seeing her face, Sam looked at with a questioning expression.
“I think my race has been advanced for so long, that we have forgotten what it is like to be in awe of something.” Delenn explained, gesturing at the display. Sam just smiled back at the alien woman, understanding the sentiment.
Once docked, the women exited the ship, Sam throwing a mournful look over her shoulder at the ship. She could spend weeks inside and still not know everything about it. That look was quickly replaced with more excitement as they encountered Draal and he started taking them through a quick walkabout of the great machine.
After their tour was completed, the elderly Minbari turned and regarded Sam with a somewhat stern expression. “So you require the aid of the Great Machine to help you in returning to your time?” he asked, his voice echoing through the great cavern.
“That’s right, sir. I don’t know how to open the void again or how to ensure that the void will deliver me to the right time and universe,” Sam admitted, feeling a little intimidated.
Draal paused for a second, he almost seemed to be conversing with himself. “Give me a moment, I may have found something that may aid you in your quest.” Draal disappeared then and an alarmed Sam looked at Delenn and Ivanova.
“Don’t worry, he always does that. He’ll be back,” Delenn said assuredly.
Just then, a slightly shaggy, slightly hunchbacked humanoid looking alien came stumbling around a corner, lugging some coils and other odds and ends of electrical equipment. Seeing him, Sam looked puzzled for a moment. “I thought Draal was alone down here?” she asked Ivanova.
“Oh that’s Zathras,” she volunteered, looking with some chagrin at the stumbling figure. “He helps down here, helps Draal with stuff. I’m not really sure what he is, but he’s here and there you have it,” Ivanova seemed as perplexed by Zathras as Sam was.
Just then Zathras dropped several pieces of whatever it was that he was carrying and Sam instinctively moved forward to help retrieve the dropped pieces. “Here, let me help you,” she said, trying to help him with his load.
“Zathras is used to being beast of burden to other people's needs,” the enigmatic alien replied, adjusting his arms a bit and trying to take back on the dropped pieces. “Very sad life. Probably have very sad death. But, at least there is symmetry. Zathras is used to this fact,” Zathras peered up at Sam, confusion on his face. “You are new.
“Yes I am new. We just came here, from another universe. My friends and I, we’re trapped here. We’re hoping that this place can help us get back home,” Sam said simply, handing back to Zathras the pieces that he had dropped.
The alien seemed to be musing for a second his face screwed up in an intense look of concentration. “Yes, Zathras see. But you do not see what Zathras see. Zathras knows what is it that you seek to find. The Machine will help you yes, but first you have to help yourself,” Zathras said cryptically. “But of course no one ever listens to poor Zathras no, he's quite mad they say. It is good that Zathras does not mind, has even grown to like it.” Zathras seemed to have finished what he wanted to say to Sam, for he moved off then, dragging wires and hoses behind him as he stumbled around the corner and out of sight.
Sam walked back over to Ivanova, who seemed to be torn between amusement and exasperation. “What did he mean by that?” Sam asked, confused.
“I have no idea. I never have any idea what anyone is talking about,” she said, as Delenn merely shrugged her shoulders at Sam.
Just then Draal reappeared and triumphantly extended a small data crystal to Delenn, who took it with a bow. “The Great Machine has found something that will aid you. May it serve you well,” the elder Minbari then disappeared from view again.
The trio trooped back to the White Star and took off, heading back to the station. Ivanova helped Sam navigate some of the basic controls while Delenn took the helm, showing her the ship’s thrusters, weapons consoles and communication capabilities. Sam was barely able to take it all in, she had so many questions but wasn’t even sure where to begin. Ivanova promised that she would send several data files to the BabCom unit in her quarters so that she could peruse the information at her leisure. Sam was pretty sure she wasn’t going to get any sleep anytime soon.
As soon as they docked the ship, Sam was gone, tearing back to the boy’s quarters and inserting the data crystal, watching as the information scrolled across the screen. Her heart sank; it was like trying to learn Asgaard technology all over again. Turning and looking at Teal’c, who had graduated to sitting up fully on the couch, she quirked an eyebrow at him. “This may take a while,” she said, sighing heavily as she turned back to the screen. “A really long while.”
Chapter Eleven
“Green sector is off limits to anyone but authorized personnel. If you are not authorized personnel, do not depart on this level.” The automated voice was starting to drive Jack crazy. He figured he probably wasn’t authorized personnel, but he couldn’t see any reason why this particular level was off limits. Exiting the transport tube, Jack wandered the halls, whistling under his breath. He had been down to the Zocalo and found it noisy, smelly and way too full of people. He liked this much better, much quieter. And fewer people trying to pickpocket you. When he remarked on this to a shopkeeper, the guy merely snorted and told him to avoid down below then. Jack wasn’t sure where down below was, but he figured he didn’t want to go there. So, he went up instead and found himself on this level. The captain had provided them with communication links that attached to the back of the hand with some sort of biological agent. Taking them off sucked; they ripped the hairs right off the back of your hand. The only upside that Jack could see was that they couldn’t meld with anyone else once they had melded with a person’s unique genetic makeup. That made them pretty interesting and Jack made a mental note to see about taking one of them back to the SGC with him. If they got back. Jack really hoped that Sam found something.
Speaking of, pushing the button that he hoped was the right one, Jack said, “Sam, do you read me?”
Back in the room, Sam was busy rubbing eyes that were bleary from staring at a computer screen for to many hours, when she heard Jack’s voice coming through the link that Ivanova had given her. Picking it up, she said into it, “Yes, sir? Where are you?”
“Someplace called Green Sector. I think it’s where the ambassadors live. You have to be authorized to have access to this sector, though they don’t make you have to have a code to use the transporter. Not that secure really,” Jack said, marveling at the seeming lack of security. “At any rate, I was just seeing if you found anything down on the planet.”
“I think so, sir. I just need some time to understand it. They are so far ahead of us technologically, it’s a bit like reading Greek sir,” Sam sighed wearily. “Teal’c is trying to help. Hopefully I can give you some good news in a couple of hours.”
“I have faith in you, Carter. You’ll figure it out. Ain’t no one smarter, not in two universes,” Jack said, in his best reassuring tone. Ending the call on his end, Jack swung around a corner and came across a couple of aliens, with very weird hair. Seriously, their hair was standing on end. It was quite strange and Jack figured that if they were hanging around there, then they were diplomats. Which meant that they would be diplomatic if Jack went up and interrupted their little argument. Because Jack was bored and he was pretty sure he hadn’t met anyone from their particular race yet.
“Vir! I am fine. Stop with your infernal pestering and mothering. If I needed to be watched and consoled, I would have summoned Timov,” Londo said in an irritated tone. “There is nothing going on that you need to be aware of and I would really appreciate it if you would stop hovering!” Turning to see who it was that was interrupting their conversation, Londo sneered at the newcomer. “What are you smirking at?” he said over Vir’s loud stammering. “Yes, what is it, Vir?” Londo said, looking at his disconcerted fellow Centauri.
“Londo, this is one of the visitors I was telling you about. If I recall correctly, you are the one called Jack O’Neill. He is a General, I believe,” Vir said, looking to Jack for confirmation.
Nodding, Jack stuck out a hand at the older alien, “Yes, sir, that would be me, General Jack O’Neill. Alien visitor and overall nice guy.”
Londo looked at Jack’s hand with a look of hesitation before shaking it. “Londo Mollari, Ambassador to Centauri Prime. This is Vir Cotto, my attaché. He had mentioned that we had visitors, but I did not know they were of a military nature,” this obviously disconcerted Londo a bit.
“Well, we’re not this Earth’s military. In fact, I know nothing about this universe’s affairs as far as Earth goes. In fact, half the time I don’t even know what’s going on in the affairs of my Earth!” Jack said peering at the ambassador curiously. “I gotta ask though. Seriously, what’s with the hair?”
Londo’s hand unconsciously went up to his hair, a brief look of confusion crossing his face before he broke out in a sudden bark of laughter. Grinning, Londo gripped Jack’s hand tightly and slung an arm over his shoulder. “You, I like! You are very funny! Is everyone who came with you as funny as you are?” he asked, as he steered Jack towards what Jack presumed were the Centauri ambassador’s quarters, the nervous Vir trailing along behind them.
Entering, Londo left Jack to step into the kitchen area and set several bottles along the counter. Looking around Jack marveled at the interesting blend of colors and furniture that Londo had in his quarters. “Well, Sam can have a good sense of humor. Not right now though; she’s too nervous and stressed about finding us a way home. And Teal’c, he can have a pretty dry sense of humor. You really have to know Teal’c to understand his humor. And as far as Daniel goes…” Jack stopped as he was interrupted by Vir, who had sat down quietly on one of the ornate couches.
“Daniel is a very interesting person to talk to. He asks a lot of questions,” Vir said smiling a bit.
“Ahh, so you’ve met Daniel then?” Jack asked. He knew that Daniel had spoken with a couple of aliens but didn’t get their names when he had visited him earlier. Daniel had still been pretty tired though Dr. Franklin was pretty sure he’d be able to discharge him the next day.
“Oh yes, Lennier and I had a bit of a conversation with him last night,” Vir said, looking over at Londo. “That’s what I came by to talk to you about last night. But you were already asleep.” The way Vir said that last word made it pretty clear to Jack that that wasn’t the term he wanted to use. Based on the amount of alcohol that Londo splashed into first one glass for himself and then one for Jack, Jack was pretty sure he meant to say ‘passed out’.
Sniffing the noxious smelling brew, Jack looked over at Londo. “Well I hope the stuff tastes better than it smells,” he said, before tilting the liquid back and swallowing.
“This is the finest brevari there is on Centauri Prime. It caused me considerable expense and took great effort to have it sent here to Babylon 5. Enjoy it!” Londo exclaimed he took a large swallow.
Setting the glass down on the counter, Jack felt the warm liquid tracing a line down his sternum to settle into pleasant warmth in his stomach. “That’s not half bad,” Jack commented, as he motioned for Londo to fill his glass up again. “So what’s the most interesting thing about being a Centauri? Besides the hair of course,” Jack said, as Londo walked over to Vir and shoved a glass in his hand, ignoring Vir’s protestations
“The best thing about being a Centauri?” Londo thoughtfully studied the glass in front of him for a second the merriment that he had exhibited seconds earlier replaced with some of the grimness that he had displayed when Jack had first encountered him. “The best thing about being a Centauri is understanding that even though the rest of the universe has written off your race as being a mere shadow of their former selves, you alone know the difference,” Londo said, a small smile gracing his face.
Looking over at Vir, who merely shook his head, Jack lifted an eyebrow and wisely said nothing. Best to keep his mouth shut until he knew more about the situation. This was a piece of advice that he had learned to live by a long time ago.
Just as quickly though, the grimness passed and Londo was back to his enthusiastic self, lifting a glass and proclaiming a toast to Jack and his fellow visitors. Smiling, Jack returned the toast.
Several glasses and two hours later, Jack wasn’t sure when he had gotten drunk, he hadn’t intended on being drunk. Apparently the brevari was a one of those types of booze where you could drink a lot, and not really feel drunk until it all hit at once. Sprawled on the couch, Jack surveyed the room with bleary eyes. Just a moment ago, Londo had been drunkenly singing some old Centauri military song at an alarming volume and completely off key. Now all he was doing was snoring. Vir was busy trying to collect the broken bottles and assorted glasses and knickknacks that Londo had knocked on the floor in the throes of his drunken enthusiasm.
“Why do you let him treat you like that?” Jack asked, his words almost slurring into themselves. It took great effort to make himself understood. Vir started, apparently he hadn’t realized that Jack himself wasn’t passed out.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Vir said, not looking at Jack as he shoved Londo fully onto the couch and draped a blanket over him.
“You know exactly what I mean. Treating you like dirt, like you’re his personal slave!” Jack said, vehemently this time, struggling into more of a sitting position. He wasn’t sure his legs would support him if he stood, but he didn’t need to stand to make his point. “I dunno if it’s your culture and that’s the way things are done where you come from. But from where I come from, diplomats treat their aides in a slightly better fashion. They certainly don’t yell at them whenever they feel like and make them drink with them when they clearly don’t want to.”
Vir turned and looked at Jack, his eyes liquid pools of sadness and melancholy. “He’s my friend. And he’s in trouble. He wasn’t always this way and he doesn’t always treat me like this. I have learned a lot from Londo. Things I wanted to know and things I needed to know. The things I needed to know are the things that I fear the most,” Vir sighed then, walking over to Jack and offering an arm to help him stand. “Here, let me help you back to your quarters. Your friends will be looking for you if I don’t take you back.”
Jack nodded, processing what Vir had said, stumbling a bit as he first started walking, but by the time they reached the transport tube, he was able to walk more or less on his own. Not necessarily in a straight line, but that was okay. Leaning against the wall of the transport tube, Jack looked at Vir through one open eye, the other closed to try and ward off the impending headache. “I had you pegged wrong. You are definitely a lot smarter then you act. You hide things very well behind that little façade you got going on. That will probably serve you well one day,” he said, before closing both eyes and waiting for the tube to reach its destination.
“Thanks, I think. It sounded like a compliment,” Vir said, as they exited the tube and walked down to Jack’s quarters. Opening the door, Jack saw the door to the bedroom closed and it was evidenced from the reflection of the flames of burning candles inside the room, that Teal’c was inside, probably in deep meditation. Sam had fallen asleep in front of the computer, the screen still lit up and displaying some incomprehensible mathematical equation. On the desk under Sam’s head there were piles of papers with numbers and words written on them, some of them crumpled, some of them with stuff crossed out with big fat black X’s. In short, it looked like the desk of Sam’s lab back home.
Rolling his eyes a bit, Jack woke Sam up with a rough shake of her shoulder. She turned bloodshot eyes on him, regarded him blankly a moment before mumbling, “What time is it?” followed up with a wrinkling of her nose and making a face at him and saying, “Have you been drinking, sir?”
“It’s very late and yes, I have had a few. Why don’t you hit the hay on a real bed and pick this back up after you have had some rack time?” Jack suggested as he thumbed over his shoulder in the general direction of Sam’s quarters.
Sam nodded and with a second glance at Vir, mumbling something under her breath about Don King, she left and headed to her own quarters. Vir said his goodnight to Jack and left. Jack took the time to kick his boots off and command the lights off before he flopped down on the couch and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Daniel had spent the day chatting more with Lennier and Delenn. The more he spoke with the Minbari delegation, the more convinced he was that he needed to have some sort of record of what he learned from them. Their culture was so advanced, so knowledgeable about the universe Daniel had already learned much about their culture and also picked up a few words in Minbari. For their part, they didn’t seem to mind answering his questions. They also did not hesitate to ask Daniel questions as well, especially in regards to the Ancients. They seemed to be quite intrigued by the whole idea of Ascension and exhibited awe over the fact that Daniel had once been ascended. The fact that he could barely remember most of his time as an ascended being did not seem to faze them. Daniel had talked Lennier into fetching his pack from the pile of stuff that the crew had hastily grabbed from the jumper as they brought the team to med-bay the first day. Lennier had to wait till Dr. Franklin had retired for the night though, because Daniel was still not cleared to do anything more then lie there. Only the promise of being discharged the next day kept Daniel from complaining too much. Once the good doctor had left, Lennier brought his pack in and Daniel was busy transcribing his experiences by hand in his notebook as fast as he could scribble, while Lennier was absorbed in one of the notebooks that contained some of Daniel’s notes on the Ancients.
“So the Ancients are the builders of your network of Stargates, is that correct?” Lennier asked, looking over at Daniel.
“Yes they built the Stargates and seeded them among planets all over our galaxy. They were one of the four ancient races that formed a great alliance,” Daniel said, still scribbling away and not looking up.
Lennier thumbed to a page in the notebook and nodded. “Yes, the Nox, the Furlings, the Ancients and a race called the Asgaard. And you have met three of these four races but seem to have the best relationship with the Asgaard,” Lennier said, his eyes moving down the page as he spoke.
Daniel set down the notebook he was writing in, his hand starting to ache. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed tired eyes before putting them back on and looking over at Lennier. “Yes, we are closest with the Asgaard, we have saved them from certain doom a number of times. They are at war with beings called Replicators. Basically they’re are metal bugs that replicate at all costs and wipe out entire planets,” Daniel settled back against his pillow, fatigue starting to set in.
“You must have a good relationship with the Ancients as well. I mean you were an Ancient for a time,” Lennier said, closing his book and setting it carefully with Daniel’s stuff.
“We have a good relationship with some Ancients,” Daniel said, a wry look on his face. “Ancients aren’t supposed to help lowers ascend. The Ancient who helped me ascend, her name is Oma Desala. She walks a fine line by helping people ascend and so do the people who follow her. I followed her, crossed that line and got sent back to Earth in human form with my memory wiped, as punishment for it. Most Ancients believe strongly in free will and as such believe that any interference in the lower planes of existence should be strictly forbidden. So yeah, on good terms with a couple of Ancients, most of the rest could care less.”
“That is not necessarily a poor point of view to have. You could have used the Ancient’s help during many an occasion during your war with the Goa’uld. But by having such a strict law against interference, it prevents the Ancients from using their powers as Ascended beings from posing as Gods. Which is exactly what you revile the Goa’uld for,” Lennier stated.
Daniel looked at Lennier, a surprised look crossing his face. “You know, I never thought of it that way. It would be very easy for the Ancients to set themselves up as Gods in the very beginning, when they first ascended. Maybe that was one of the reasons behind the establishment of that rule,” Daniel said, yawning just then and rubbing his face wearily.
“You are tired, I should let you rest. Thank you very much for allowing me to read your notes, they were very enlightening,” Lennier said. They exchanged goodnights and promises to meet again the next day after Daniel had been discharged. Once Lennier had left, Daniel commanded his light off marveling at the voice activated technology, and got comfortable before falling into a deep sleep.
Jack heard the door chiming long before he was able to get his eyes open. Fighting the raging headache that was doubtless due to his excessive alcohol consumption the night before, Jack forced blurry eyes open and forced himself to a standing position. Which he had evidently done too fast because just as quickly he stood, he was heading back down again, only to be steadied by Teal’c’s strong hand. “I will get the door O’Neill,” Teal’c said simply, as Jack sagged back down onto the couch and Teal’c headed for the door.
Opening it revealed Captain Sheridan to be standing on the other side, the enigmatic Delenn as always by his side. “Good day Captain, Delenn. How may we be of assistance to you?” Teal’c asked, bowing his head in respect to the pair before gesturing for them to enter.
Entering, Sheridan regarded Jack with an amused glance. “Spent the night with Londo, eh?” he asked a touch of laughter in his voice.
Sagging back against the cushions of the couch, Jack regarded Sheridan with half closed eyes, both hands massaging his forehead in an effort to drive out the working crew that was busy hammering away at the inside of his skull. “Let me guess, he does this to many an unwary human,” Jack said, grimacing a little. He gratefully took the proffered glass of water and aspirin tablets that Teal’c handed him, swallowing them quickly.
“Londo has a habit of drinking people under the table. The worst part of it is, that you’ll see him later when you’re still suffering from a hangover and he’ll be as happy and cheerful as can be. Just like he hadn’t had a drop to drink the night before. It’s terrible,” Sheridan said chuckling a bit. “At any rate, I came here to offer you all a real guided tour of the station. It was suggested to be by my chief of security after he noticed somebody wandering around in an unauthorized part of the station,” Sheridan said, looking meaningfully at Jack.
“I must have missed that memo,” Jack said mumbling around the lip of the glass.
“We will obviously wait until your friend has been discharged from med-lab, which should be anytime now. In fact, he is probably already on his way here,” Delenn said. “I spoke with your Colonel Carter, she looked very stressed and did not seem interested in a tour of the station. I think she needs some time away from the problem of getting you home, it is not good for the mind and body to be so exhausted. I am hoping you can persuade her to join us.”
“That’s the nice thing about outranking her, I don’t need to persuade her to do anything. When the time comes, she’ll be there,” Jack said reassuringly. “We don’t need her frying her brains out on the issue. She’ll either come up with a way to get us home or she won’t.”
“Well then, let’s plan for sometime in the afternoon, after lunch. We have a council meeting here in a few minutes that will probably take up most of the morning,” Sheridan said, making a face before him and Delenn exited.
“I am most likely correct in presuming that meetings of government representatives here bear the same enthusiasm from Captain Sheridan as meetings of the same type bear for you back home,” Teal’c said, in his usual deadpan style.
“That would be a good assumption,” Jack said, stumbling back to his feet and heading for the shower. “T, can you see about rustling up some coffee, or whatever resembles coffee in this galaxy? I’m thinking that a shower and that are the only things that are likely to make me of use today,” he said over his shoulder as the door to the bathroom swung shut behind him.
Teal’c raised an eyebrow and looked around the kitchen quickly. Not seeing anything that resemble the caffeinated beverage that Daniel Jackson and O’Neill so seemed to cherish, he decided to head out and down to the marketplace called the Zocalo, which he had been assured was easy to find. Not only was he eager to see more of this place that he had been restricted to, but he also really wanted to find O’Neill coffee. He was so much less cranky with it than without.