"Listen," I grabbed Chaya's arm and made her stop. The girl gave me a look full of pain and anger. "I repeat, I'm sorry about your people. But that doesn't mean you should immediately jump headfirst into someone else's ice hole after a bath."
"I don't understand what you mean..."
"That idiots can break an ice hole near the shore and instead of diving into the water, you can replace a mole in digging burrows with your whole body!"
"Still..."
"You lost your people, I understand. You want to help me figure out what's going on with Earth. But let's put emotions aside for a moment and think about what could go wrong?" I suggested.
"It sounds like you don't want to return to your home planet and help your countrymen," Sar became wary.
"Chaya, emotions are speaking through you," I said. "My home, if the Ascended are to be believed, is in another universe."
"If they can be believed," she said in a trembling voice.
Well, if I had reasonable doubts, she could have them too.
I think we both understood that the coincidences were too coincidental: her return to human form and the almost immediate destruction of the people of Proculus by the Wraiths.
I can still understand the Wraith attack on her world in the events I know. Then she was Ascended, came to Atlantis, and Proculus was attacked by Wraiths, forcing the girl to return and defend the planet.
Back then, Wraiths all over the galaxy were awakened. But now, when the Wraiths are sleeping... Or perhaps not sleeping anymore, because they discovered my ship and collectively decided that the old tasty Lantian lasagna had returned?
In any case, only two days had passed since my return to Atlantis from Sudaria. Too quickly for a Wraith ship to reach Proculus. Too many coincidences.
"Then I think you understand me," I said. "If what happened on your planet was indeed orchestrated by them... If you're right, and I was meant to be used to provide the city with new energy supplies at the cost of my life, then the whole story starts to smell bad."
"What are you talking about?" Chaya asked.
"Ganos Lal and Melia communicated with me," I confessed. The Proculucian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "According to them, an expedition from Earth was supposed to arrive in the city. But it didn't happen. Something happened in the Milky Way that changed the cause-and-effect relationship. And also, killed or neutralized all the Ascended in that galaxy. Whatever it was, it's expanding and someday, in the foreseeable future, it will reach the Pegasus galaxy."
"A weapon against the Ascended?" Sar was surprised. "Is that possible? They are pure energy, after all."
I rummaged through my memory, looking for the coveted explanation.
"Energy always has a certain charge. Imagine that another discharge appears that can extinguish the existing one? Like two waves that neutralize each other upon collision."
"You have a very strange understanding of what Ascension is," Chaya pulled her hand out of my grip.
"Sorry, but no one left me any instructions or manuals, I use what I have in my head," I spread my hands. "But that doesn't change the essence of the matter. 'The Others lie.' That's what you wrote yourself, and for yourself. What is this entry about?"
"I don't know."
"That they cannot be trusted. Most likely - not a single word of theirs. Their actions themselves indicate that the stories about how they fear an unknown weapon do not match reality. One of them has already broken the rules: I am here. They are threatened by an unknown weapon, but they are doing nothing to save themselves. Moreover, I am here, but they decided it would be better to kill me and continue to guard Atlantis. Why? If I can help them, it would be more logical not to hinder those who intend to become my allies. Especially if you didn't help or hinder their non-interventionist group in any way."
"It sounds right, but I don't understand what you're getting at."
"What if the Others are lying to us about not knowing what happened in the Milky Way?" I asked. "In my memory, Earth could have been destroyed completely about twenty times, but it was always saved by a miracle. What if the Ascended know about the danger of going to Earth? After all, notice, there could be anything there - a black hole, an exploded planet, an extinct planet, occupied, and so on. If the Ascended want to get rid of us, why not try to send us into the inferno? After all, for reconnaissance, we would have to go to the other side. And, believe me, there is no ZPM on Earth to open a gate to Atlantis."
"Because otherwise they would have already done it."
A snap of my fingers happened on its own.
"Right. You see, we understand each other. So what are we going to do? Risk getting into trouble, or postpone it for now?"
"What do you suggest?" Chaya asked.
"For starters, I want to remind you that neither your nor my descendants or friends are on Earth. So there's no need to rush. There are only two of us in the city. In a broken city full of laboratories with various dangerous inventions. We have almost no food, except for the tiresome energy bars. We have no engines, we won't be able to get away if things get really bad. We are two against a whole galaxy teeming with Wraiths. I don't think we should rush headlong into fulfilling the Ascended's orders."
"What, excuse me?" the girl was taken aback. "You... You yourself said they assigned you a task."
"Yes, and thanks to you, I know they tried to drown me for their own plans," I reminded her. "Do you think that makes me more eager to complete their task quickly?"
"But... The threat, you said yourself."
"The threat is to the Ascended, but not to you and me," I reminded her. "At least, I hope so. Therefore, when we become stronger, repair the city, or perhaps find ancient spaceships like the 'Aurora' or something similar, then, without a doubt, we will go to the Milky Way. And try to understand how bad things are there. Or, on the contrary, how good. But not now, when we don't even have the means to leave this planet. Don't you think it would be quite foolish to go to another galaxy together when we have neither the resources nor the guarantee of return?"
Sar became somewhat embarrassed.
"Yes, you're probably right," she said. "I... I grew up in times when Lantian orders were not discussed. And... The destruction of my people affected me more than I thought. I wanted to complete the Ascended's mission you mentioned as quickly as possible, so that... Maybe..."
"You thought they would help save your people?" I clarified.
"Yes," the girl said, embarrassed. "I probably think too highly of them. After everything that has happened..."
She didn't finish, but it became clear that she had her own skeletons in her closet in the past. However, who didn't?
"It's a perfectly understandable desire," I said. "It's easier for me in this regard. This is not my universe, I have nothing to hold onto here, except for what I have here and now. It so happened that Atlantis became my home. A beautiful, desired home. But I don't want to risk it for some random chances that might happen due to haste and a desire to please the Ancients. No offense, guys," I tilted my head up, as if hoping the ceiling of the control hall would part and the Ascended, floating on clouds, would listen to my words with interest, "but I have a whole baggage of knowledge and sad experience in matters that happen in a hurry. I will undoubtedly visit the neighboring galaxy, but later. You wait there a couple... mmm, years, maybe centuries. And I will definitely solve your problems. Don't worry, I won't abandon you, like you abandoned me."
Chaya looked with curiosity at what I was doing, after which, unable to resist, she laughed.
"Do you really think they are invisibly present here and eavesdropping on us?" she asked.
"Who knows," I shrugged. "In any case," I spread my hands, "as you can see, lightning hasn't struck me, I haven't turned into photoplasm, I haven't disintegrated into atoms..."
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Honestly, I wasn't sure that the Ascended of Pegasus wouldn't react, but... They have a policy of direct non-interference, don't they?
Nothing happened.
In fact, as I had hoped.
I think if I had directly refused to do what they wanted, there would have been those willing, or "extremists," who would have come to the human world and made it clear to me that I was wrong. Most likely, these explanations would have been fatal.
But, we have what we have.
Since the Ancients decided they could play with me, why shouldn't I do the same?
In fact, I have no complaints about the local Earth, but I also have no reverent awe. Yes, heroes of the series that introduced me to this universe live there (possibly). But... So what? Should I immediately spread out like primordial broth on the deck, falling prostrate before them? For what favors? They are nobody to me. They didn't save my life. I am neither their friend, nor in-law, nor brother. Therefore, I am definitely not going to rush to Earth's aid without preparing for the fact that things in the Milky Way are very bad. Especially when the Ascended's words cannot be trusted.
In fact, like Chaya herself.
I need to be vigilant, but not let my paranoia decide for me.
In any case, either the Ancients will give me a good thrashing for such self-will, or they will be satisfied that I promised to fulfill the promise someday and find out what happened.
I don't want to rush with the latter, at least because... If some anomaly occurred, thanks to which I appeared here, say, a time loop or something similar, then... Why should I fix it? So as not to appear here? No, excuse me, I like it here. I risked my life to bring this city back to life, so, no offense, but this is my city. And I will decide how I will live here and what to do. In the latter case, it is desirable to do as little bullshit as possible, so as not to create enemies for myself.
I suspect that I will have them naturally anyway.
"Well," Chaya, apparently, also expected a reaction from the Ancients and was satisfied with its absence. "Since you're demonstrating leadership in every way, so be it. You seem to have more knowledge of this time than I do. For my part, I promise to help you however I can. I'm quite good with Lantian technology, so... I'll be of some use."
"Even more than you think," I smiled. Unable to resist, I glanced at her figure. Medium height, slender, with not overly prominent "front and back ninety."
Not that I was staring at her... But who was I kidding, I was staring. A cute girl. Yes, she was older than I had lived since maturing inside my father, but...
The past is over. I won't return to my universe, and Marina can't be brought here...
What a fool! I could have at least asked the Voice to do it! But I didn't even think of it. Perhaps Marina was right when she called me a complete egoist during our arguments, adapting to circumstances that only benefited me. I didn't even consider bringing her with me... Why? Who knows...
For now, Chaya Sar is the only female representative in my society. So, why not make the girl happy by showing her some attention? Within reason, of course.
I think she could use a little more attention from a human. Support was and is not my strongest suit, but... That's what we have.
Chaya looked at me with suspicion and distrust. My gaze seemed too intense.
"Don't worry," I assured her. "Office romances are not my thing."
"Nor mine," she quickly replied. "I think we need to get back to work."
"Completely agree," I nodded. "And I have something in mind."
"Meaning?" she asked.
"I know a little planet where a soldier who really hates Wraiths is bored," I smiled. "And the locals are very, very friendly to the Ancients."
"I'm not sure that after all this, you and I can be considered Ancients," Chaya shook her head.
"And who's stopping us?" I spread my hands. "We're not sending them to war, just want to make acquaintances. Only... We'll need to look for something we can offer the natives in exchange for food... Preferably not something that, at the first capture of the Athosians by Wraiths, would reveal Lantian technology."
"That's a challenge," Chaya furrowed her brow.
"I'll talk to them. Otherwise, I'm afraid the locals won't take you seriously."
"Why do you think that?"
"Your suit..."
"It's a light infantry armored suit, an experimental development that never went into mass production," the girl explained. "It's designed to dissipate impact energy without harming the wearer. What could be wrong with it?"
"Let's just say it makes you look anywhere but in the eyes."
Chaya, walking beside me, almost tripped over a fallen log. Only by grabbing her waist and pulling her close did I save the Proculucian from leaving an imprint of her face on the autumn leaves and the rain-soaked path.
The girl gave me an unfriendly look.
"I don't understand your sarcasm, Mikhail."
"And I understand where Anubis got the technology to create the Kull warrior armor," I sighed.
"Excuse me?"
"You're forgiven," I smiled.
"Actually, you're wearing the same armored suit..." The girl squinted her eyes but decided not to finish the sentence, continuing along the path. "You're just joking. Trying to distract me from thoughts about my people?"
"I'm doing everything in my power," I had to admit. In fact, I tried to look at her back as little as possible. It just so happened that there were only two suits, and she wouldn't have fit into the one she took – it was too small even for Chaya. But mine was fine, comfortable even.
Only, unlike Chaya, I have not only an Ancient blaster with me, but also a personal shield attached under the chest plates that look like glossy plastic.
And in the backpack on my back...
I remembered something.
* * *
*Kull warrior of Anubis. A frame from the series.*
*Kull warriors were the development of a near-ascended Goa'uld named Anubis. Due to Oma Desala's mistake, he gained access to most of the knowledge of the Ancients and Ascended. And he successfully applied it in practice. The Kull warriors were the result of an experiment that was supposed to become the elite of his army.*
*The mutants, clad in impenetrable armor, caused a lot of damage in known events. And I always wondered where Anubis got the technology to create such excellent armor, protecting against any damage. It turns out – a Lantian development.*
*True... Honestly, comparing Chaya's outfit to that of a Kull warrior, I had doubts about which one was more decent. Anubis at least took care to make the under-armor fabric, not shiny latex. Honestly, I want to and am afraid to ask Sar in which army sex shop she found this outfit...*
*Experimental light armored suit of Chaya. And yes, this is a frame from "Blade 2". I'm shocked myself that the actress Leonor Varela (Chaya Sar) played in it.*
I think it's time to start exploring the laboratories of Atlantis. Surely there's something more than just deadly things there. Although... I remember a couple of their inventions and... I really don't want to encounter various kinds of nanoviruses that kill everyone except carriers of Ancient Genes, various energy entities that feed on electricity, including human... And so on, and so on...
We reached Athos without the slightest problem, not meeting anyone at the gates. The "Jumper," surrounding itself with a cloaking field, soared into the sky to assess the situation. We found the local settlement without much difficulty. We had to fuss to find a place for "parking." Halfway from the gates to the settlement, there was a good clearing where our ship could easily wait for our return under invisibility. No need for just anyone to see a Lantian ship here.
The Athosian settlement reminded me most of a nomadic camp. A semblance of something between travel tents and yurts on wooden bases. And a significant number of them.
There were hearths for cooking on the streets, men and women sitting near their dwellings, engaged in their affairs. And, while I mostly didn't care about this, Chaya was examining the Athosians with great interest.
And they were staring at us with all their eyes.
I think our appearance really set us apart from their usual visitors.
"Good day," I said, stopping at the entrance to the largest "yurt" in the center of a trampled clearing, turned into something resembling a square, and looked around. The locals gathered around us, not pointing fingers, but quietly discussing. "A few days ago, a man named Alvar arrived among you. I'd like to meet him – he promised to stay for three days, and the time hasn't expired yet."
"And who are you?" a voice came from the crowd. "What's your name?"
"I don't have a name, I come on my own."
It's time to diversify the phraseological dictionary of the Pegasus galaxy society.
The locals, unlike Chaya, liked the joke. The Proculucian is not particularly cheerful. But, emotions sometimes gush from her, so there's a suspicion that her "iron lady" image is just a pretense. Just as I am "looking" at her, she is not wasting her time.
"We will not harm any of you," she said. "We are just looking for a friend."
The flap of the main yurt was thrown back, and a familiar sentient appeared.
"I wouldn't say Misha and I are friends," Alvar stated. "But we've chased Wraiths together."
"And I made your life easier," I had to remind him. Knowing how fugitives are treated in the galaxy – some pity them, others try to kill them or, at best, drive them away – I decided not to advertise this fact. "And I promised to come and talk."
"Well, yes," Jensen grinned. "Will you introduce me to your girlfriend?"
He nodded towards Chaya.
I responded with the same gesture, but in relation to the chestnut-haired young woman, well-known to me from the series, standing next to the fugitive.
"First, you introduce me to your acquaintance. Something tells me she can speak for everyone present."
"I am Teyla Emmagan, daughter of Tagan," the leader of the Athosians stepped forward, examining us without hesitation.
*Teyla Emmagan.*
"Mikhail," I introduced myself and pointed to my companion. "And this beautiful lady is Chaya."
"Mikhail?" Jensen was surprised. "I assume 'Misha' is a diminutive or a made-up name?"
"It's a secret name that is only told to friends," I clouded the issue. "After all, we fought against Wraiths together. That's worth something. I hope you haven't blabbed my secret name to everyone around? Otherwise, it will be awkward."
Laughter was heard among the Athosians.
Well, I'll be, my jokes are a hit here.
"Fighting Wraiths side-by-side is worth a lot," Teyla said, making an inviting gesture inside. "Alvar told us about you. Although," she gave Chaya a thoughtful look, "he said you would come alone."
"Well, I couldn't leave a beautiful girl without a walk in the fresh air in the company of good people," my smile elicited a reciprocal smile from Teyla, a grin from Jensen, and a confused and angry expression from Chaya. "Especially since, as I heard, you have amazing tea in taste and vigor."
"Yes, but we drink it before dawn," Teyla exchanged glances with Alvar. "And now it's noon."
"On the other hand, you can always adjust the clock hands, can't you?" the former fugitive said, looking at my companion.
"I don't like him," Sar whispered.
"Well, he's not supposed to," I replied. "He's a soldier, a pilot, an enemy of Wraiths, not a photo model."
"These people don't seem developed enough to master advanced technologies either," Chaya whispered as we were already at the entrance.
"Oh, believe me, they'll surprise you," I grinned.
One way or another, we entered the main yurt. In the center was a large wooden table with food and the aromatic contents of simple mugs. Teyla, having politely introduced us to the Athosians inside, indicated for us to take seats next to her.
To my left, a little further from the fugitive, who was sitting right there. It seems he has some influence among the locals, as by the rules of simple civilizations, he sits so close to the chief.
Well, let's start getting acquainted with the locals.