When the last crystal took its place, I pulled away from the control panel and glanced at the seemingly frozen Chaya. The girl sat at the control console and silently stared straight ahead. But her gaze said her thoughts were completely far from here.
"I think it's time to start," it took two tries to get her attention. The girl, looking at me, silently nodded and ran her fingers over the workstation buttons. "And it would be good to inform the others that we're ready to do it."
Chaya froze for a moment, then her hand moved to the edge of the console and pressed one of the buttons:
"Engineering compartment speaking," she said. "We're preparing to start the reactor. Finish your work and report immediately."
Releasing the button, she looked at me without a drop of regret.
She doesn't like our forced ally.
At the moment, the Athosians and Taranian have finished their front of work. Their task was to replace the designated failed crystals on several decks. Thanks to this, and Koschei's work in places, power chains in living quarters, galley, sanitary zone, and hangar were restored. Not to mention that the subspace transmitter, scanners, and artificial gravity worked.
About the backup bridge having no connection even to secondary systems due to destroyed control channels—not worth mentioning. The main bridge, from where the ship is controlled by default, functioned solely on reserve circuits. Koschei was currently repairing them.
Tension there is such that an electric shock won't just hurt—it'll cremate in a couple of seconds. After all, operating such a starship requires colossal energy expenditure. Even secondary systems.
"Alvar speaking," a voice came from hidden speakers. "The Wraith finished the last section of destroyed wiring. Breakers in place, circuit glowing white."
The Ancients have a very interesting malfunction warning system. If equipment is fine, its internal lighting is white. If there are damages in the main system, dim. Destruction of the main circuit blocking its operation—red. No power in the network or malfunction in main, reserve, and emergency circuits—no lighting at all. Quite convenient—remove the protective cover and calmly observe if the specific section system is in order.
When lighting shows malfunction, it's easy to detect with a scanner or even visually. The crystals the Ancients used in their devices, as it turned out, serve not only as microchips but also relays, breakers, power controllers, and other protective-control mechanisms. Therefore, often they fail, not the wiring entirely. Chaya said something about replacing crystals being much simpler than opening walls and repairing wiring. Ancient crystals were intentionally made the so-called "weak link." Quite pragmatic actually—easier to replace an easily removable element than disassemble half the structure. Or rearrange crystals to start one of the auxiliary or reserve systems instead of the damaged main one.
This explains why in the known events, Earthlings quite often "repaired" damaged Ancient technology (and other races using the same tech principles) by replacing crystals. And rarely restored damaged wiring. And yes, sometimes it led to catastrophic consequences. Well, as sometimes... Almost always.
But I have no technically competent world-saving team at hand, so we have to work on restoring everything that can be fixed. And without any optimistic hopes that it will work out as it did for Earthlings in the known events.
The panel in front of me, as well as the other twenty in which I replaced more than half the crystals, lit up. The crystals glowed like a garland on a Christmas tree. Except they didn't blink, limiting to even glow and a barely audible hum.
"Seems to be working," I looked at my scanner screen, running it along the row of opened consoles. The smart device found no malfunctions in any crystal slots. "What about you?"
"The reactor reached minimum power," Chaya said. "Energy transmitted to all ship compartments... Starting diagnostics."
Her voice sounds so joyless. Though there's reason to celebrate here!
In less than two weeks, we brought this tub to a godly state. Fixed main systems where they worked on secondary circuits, partially set up main and reserve systems in critically damaged ship areas, adjusted power output on several damaged shield projectors...
Now we have marching engines, shields, weapons, life support, and much more! And it works not on conditional "twists" and "snot," but on full, if repaired, circuits! The ship restored in under a month!
Yes, still need to work on the hyperdrive, but the most large-scale work is done. We'll tackle the hyperdrive later—necessary parts and ultra-dense crystals are being made now. If ordinary ones can be created from silicon, even not every, the hyperdrive... Like other highly technological and requiring jewelry precision in setup and operation Ancient mechanisms, this equipment required a completely different type of crystals. Strength, optical purity, and another good dozen characteristics to consider in manufacturing.
And diamonds are needed. Quite a few.
Athosians mine them on Ermen, but eighty percent of discovered diamonds Chaya rejected. Says completely not what's needed. Though, what's the difference if we load them into the workshop setup for subsequent melting and purification?
Yes, those diamonds can not only be polished but melted into the most expensive glass I've seen, had to accept as a given. I think for a couple-three crystals needed for hyperdrive restoration, we could buy one or two planets on the galactic black market somewhere. Most likely even with serfs.
About an hour, during which I collected tools and spoiled parts around the compartment, sorted them into those we'd still use and those for recycling, Chaya watched the colored ship schematic on the big monitor without tearing away.
"All ready," Chaya said. "In two ammunition storage compartments, there are energy fluctuations in lighting and power systems, but they're not critical for flight. I disconnected them from the network, and they won't cause more problems."
"Excellent," I winked at the girl. "Time to return to the bridge, talk to the others, rest, and tomorrow we'll start hyperdrive repair. You said we'd manage in a couple days, right?"
"A day for disassembly and detailed inspection, the same for programming new crystals and repair," Chaya confirmed, exiting the compartment first. Tiredness is tiredness, but gallantry shouldn't be forgotten.
"We managed in less than a month," I said as we walked. "And actually restored the ship to combat-ready state. Strange the Ancients didn't do it."
"They could have," Chaya said. "Taranis resources allowed melting and replacing all damaged hull elements or eliminating mechanical damage. However, the planet has no deposits of needed minerals for fixing wiring damage and creating necessary crystals for main systems. Even for auxiliary, local silicon isn't that suitable. We'd have to run dozens of tons of substance through separators to create what we made in a few weeks."
Logical, considering Lantea-2, from where we took resources for ordinary systems, became inaccessible to the Ancients during the war.
"Besides," Chaya said with sadness, "this is just one ship. Moreover, as the Wraith said, former research but converted to combat. Even with ZPM aboard, it wouldn't play a big role in the ending war. They just left it for better times."
"Well, even good they didn't repair and destroy it during clash with Wraith," I noted. "Now we have a working combat starship."
"It will be working only when we repair the hyperdrive," the Proculian corrected me.
"That won't be an issue," I assured. "By the way, did you check Koschei's words about several versions of this type battleships existing?"
"Yes," Chaya replied. "Had to hack several military databases on Atlantis, but... He's right. For most of the war, the Ancients used only converted former research starships into military ones. They weren't too suitable for countering numerically superior Wraith starships. Only in the last decades of the conflict did the Atlantis Council order development of purely military starships based on data collected during the conflict. But there weren't enough to turn the tide of battles. As far as I understand, the Ancients long underestimated the Wraith threat. Koschei was right—they sent their starships without escort deeper and deeper into Wraith territory, hoping on their weapon and tech strength. This led to the turning point in the war—the Wraith lured hundreds, even thousands of various starships into ambush, lost dozens times more ships, but deprived Atlantis of its advantage. After that, they went on counterattack. This is just surface info; to parse Wraith war chronicles in detail would take thousands of hours of free time."
"I think we'll have it after saving the Aurora crew," I said. "Right now, simply lack hands to distract on ten-thousand-year-old history."
"That's true," Chaya confirmed with longing and fatigue in her voice. "We critically lack competent intelligences. Sure that if we had at least a hundred competent Taranian scientists, you wouldn't involve the Wraith in work."
That's it... And she knew he'd work for us. But as soon as she faced the pre-discussed facts, she backed off, clearly demonstrating unwillingness to cooperate with him. Even that the Wraith, for safety, worked only on systems where he couldn't harm us or prepare some sabotage, on systems she independently assigned him as work front, the Proculian still dissatisfied.
So how to relate to this?
Actually, tired of her reaction and worsening mood, I asked the question interesting me directly.
"What's going on? You knew he'd work with us. You agreed it would be right..."
"We only talked about him helping restore other Lanteans," Chaya's voice became stronger and more confident. Seems these half-hints irritated her too. And as soon as opportunity to fix arose, she decided to vent. "I agreed with that, but didn't think you'd bring him to repair the ship! You understand how dangerous that is!"
"But you're checking and double-checking his work yourself," I reminded. "And said he did nothing that could harm us."
"I think so. But knowing the degree of cunning of these beings, I don't exclude... danger awaits us in open space!" the girl stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at me with accusation in her gaze.
"And what do you suggest?" now irritation appeared in me. "Calmly sit and wait while we spend a year or so restoring one single starship? Who even knows what can happen in that time? We lack people!"
"I could train Athosians..."
"So you trust those people who might have Wraith genes more than Wraith?"
"Yes!" lightning flashed in Chaya's eyes. "At least they didn't suck life from those I knew and who were dear to me! We're cooperating with an enemy who only waits for the moment to stab us in the back!"
Twenty-five again...
"We already discussed this," I reminded. "Without him, the plan won't work."
"And is the plan needed, where we're dependent on a Wraith, returning to the city intelligences who might kick us out of Atlantis or become enemies altogether?" the angry Chaya clarified. "If you didn't forget, the Ascended are closer to them than you and I. And surely the Ascended aren't sharpening teeth on the Aurora crew like on you or me!"
"So, in your opinion, better spend decades teaching Athosians or someone else Ancient knowledge, rather than bringing the Ancients themselves back to life?" this "Baba Yaga against" behavior of hers is starting to irritate. Even anger.
"I'll repeat once more—yes!" Chaya said. "In my view, much more practical than trusting a Wraith responsible for deaths of thousands, if not millions, and hoping he won't betray us..."
No, I understand all the danger of such behavior. But at the same time, it's too much to worry about every occasion. She worried less about the Queen of Death info right under our noses!
I sense something more here... Something more personal.
And it's not at all fear we might be kicked out of Atlantis—we'll find ourselves elsewhere, no problem. Yes, it won't be Atlantis, but... In the end, dozens of Ancient objects are scattered across the galaxy. We'll surely find ourselves in some. Not to mention living quite comfortably and wonderfully on the same Taranis. Or Athos... In short, no hopeless situations. Or I don't see them. And Chaya can't bring them, though as smarter (nothing to be ashamed of) and more competent in communicating with Lanteans, she should know what to expect from them.
Not to mention it's not even a fact the crew is fully Lanteans. We have no data on that, so for a combination of reasons, I prefer not to suffer nonsense and act.
Water doesn't flow under a lying stone.
"You're holding something back from me," I stated. "You have a personal motive not to meet the Aurora crew, right?"
"It's my personal business!" Chaya cut off. "I pointed out the threats to you, but if you think the risk justifies possible consequences, then you make decisions. After all, you're the idea generator here, and I'm just the engineer, tech master! You said—I did! And now, I need to deal with the hyperdrive!"
Without another word, the girl grabbed her tool bag and headed down the corridor. But immediately turned into one of the side passages and disappeared from my sight.
Well, what the hell is going on here, I'd like to know?
*
"You're leaving, right?" Selise asked quietly, watching Kirik pack his few things into a travel bag.
"Departing tomorrow," he informed, folding the second set of clothes and several spare weapon options. Though the ship had a small arms arsenal equipped, each would have at least a pistol or assault rifle, but life taught the former Runner to approach potentially prolonged trips knowledgeably. "Final preparations and checks are happening while we talk. The ship already did test flights from Taranis to Atlantis and all good. Mikhail doesn't want to wait."
"So why doesn't he fly alone?" Selise asked. "You said Chaya flew between planets herself."
Kirik sighed heavily.
"Not quite alone," he admitted. "Mikhail was with her and learned to pilot the ship. Says it's no harder than controlling a Jumper. But... That's their business, the Ancients'."
"Did they make up?"
"I don't think so. Otherwise Chaya would fly with us, not decide to stay on Atlantis."
"Understood," Selise sighed. "If she flew, I'd stay with Teyla's people. They're good."
"They have a lot of work now," Kirik reminded. "Everyone, even children, participates in clearing new fields. I too would want you to stay there, but Chaya said you need to review the material covered. Since you wanted to become a doctor..."
About Sar uncompromisingly taking the girl under her wing and guardianship as soon as it became known the ATA Gene took in her, he didn't say. Nor that the gene is very weak and no hope she'd one day fly him on a Jumper. But she can use the simplest Ancestor technologies. And medicine interested her greatly.
"I promised you I'd become a doctor and remove that thing from your back," Selise said seriously.
"I remember," Kirik couldn't hold a wide smile. "Sure you'll succeed. But now that the gene took, you'll have to study even more."
Selise saddened. While Athosian children play with each other or work fields, she languishes under hundreds of meters of ocean depth in an empty city. And interlocutors will be only the irritable Chaya Sar. Though after the gene took, the Ancient became more attentive to the girl. Even caring.
"Can I go with you?" the girl asked. "I don't want to sit here alone..."
Kirik, throwing the last thing he wanted to take into the bag. Looking at the ward, he smiled and approached the bed. Selise sat on the edge, legs dangling, hugging the rag doll he made for her some time ago.
Squatting before the girl, he habitually touched her nose, continuing to smile.
"You won't be alone," he assured. "Chaya stays with you. She promised to look after while we're away. So nothing to fear."
"I'm scared," the girl confessed. "It's so empty here... Everything glows, no one around, and I don't know what to do."
"But you're studying," Kirik reminded. "Chaya says you handle well what the computer tells you."
"It's interesting," the girl confirmed. "But need to learn much more. Chaya said it might take a whole life, as Ancients had much knowledge. If I want to be useful, need to study a lot while small."
"But better than running from Wraith?" Kirik clarified.
"Yes," Selise admitted. "And they feed tasty here."
The former Runner ruffled her hair and stood.
"Then all good," he said. "Won't have time to miss me before I return."
"And more people in the city?" Selise perked up.
"If all goes well," Kirik confirmed.
"And someone to play with?"
Kirik didn't like lying to the ward. But also reasonably doubted that on an Ancient combat ship there'd be those interested in playing with a girl from a primitive (by their standards) world.
So, needed to switch the child's attention.
"So that's how it is, huh?" I feigned sulkiness. "Decided since you beat me three times at checkers, I'm no longer interesting?"
The game Mikhail showed, Selise got hooked hard. So much she could play it around the clock. But partners were hard—at Athosian kids preferred playing Wraith over slapping rounds on a checkered board.
*
Contrary to Chaya's promise, hyperdrive repair took not two but only one and a half days. At first, I thought the worst, did the girl plant some sabotage for us, but the onboard computer and scanning systems, including independent ones, showed the mechanism works fine.
This was confirmed by our independent expert-cannibal named Koschei. He also rechecked and confirmed the correctness of the jump coordinates provided by Chaya. Yes, the Wraith isn't the most reliable info source, but after the demarche a day ago, Chaya essentially reduced our communication to "boss-subordinate" level. For what reasons and which demons in her head love each other causing such performance, the Proculian refused to name. As well as talk about anything but the task.
And I had no other data sources. Such behavior starts to irritate. And I think after returning from the expedition, need to resolve the issue of my own usefulness independently. Having the Ancient gene but not their knowledge, being a gofer, frankly got to me.
The Hippaforalkus is almost fully repaired and ready to head to the Aurora. So no need to delay. Now boarding was loading provisions for the small crew heading on the expedition. Me, Kirik, Alvar, Teyla, and a dozen Athosians as jailers and guards for the also flying Koschei.
"Dynamic diagnostics revealed no malfunctions," Chaya said monotonically. Besides us two, no one else was aboard the Hippaforalkus. The rest of the crew was at posts—Athosians guarded near the generator, backup bridge, life support systems, cells, and so on. Or just preparing to board with useful cargo. "Systems operate optimally."
The fact the ship had a transporter—exactly the same chamber as the network on Atlantis—greatly simplified life. No Jumper flights. A couple seconds—and from ocean bottom you're aboard a spaceship.
"You have a third of the required projectile reserves, but enough for battle with a whole squadron. I set pulse energy cannons to defensive mode, so you'll have something to fend off Darts. But, I repeat, unlikely to meet an opponent at the Aurora."
"The Wraith mental force blocker works without failures?" I asked. After dozens of attempts to talk on other topics, I dropped it. Doesn't want—fine. Don't know what's there, female or professional jealousy, but fact remains—our relations with Chaya changed for the worse. No logical argument to fly with us swayed her. So had to content with numerous spare parts and full ship schematics. If something goes wrong, we can do minor repair.
And ship control systems, actually, no harder than a Jumper's. From the command chair, can control the starship by thought, and smart onboard computers will do the rest. Except launching projectiles from a special compartment is tricky. But getting from bridge to needed room takes a couple minutes. In that time, our shields can't be breached in any case. At least if we talk Wraith tech.
Yes, Chaya said she routed the timeline from the chair launching projectiles to my console, but insuring doesn't hurt.
"All working nominally," Chaya replied dryly. "Once you reach the ship, just think about docking. The battleship will equalize speeds and dock to the Aurora itself. Just in case, you have five EVAs. Aurora schematics I copied to your scanner and Hippaforalkus database, so you can configure something aboard yourself. Stasis pods installed aboard are easily removable and have a day's energy reserve. Enough to move them to Hippaforalkus and connect to its power in storage rooms from second to tenth. If the Wraith can revive someone from the crew, advise starting with captain, senior engineer, or first officer—they have the most complete info on the ship and its tech. At least should."
"Good," I nodded. "Any more advice?"
"Don't forget to activate inertial dampeners first before engaging engines," Sar said.
"Got it," yes, I don't fancy experiencing overloads. "Anything else?"
"Kill the Wraith immediately as soon as you think he's deceiving you," Chaya said coldly. "Because you won't think."
"Will keep in mind," I promised. "Take care of yourself, Selise, the city, and all ours while we're away. We'll return soon..."
Chaya didn't reply. Just nodded to entering Kirik and Alvar on the bridge and left us. The guys took places at consoles whose systems Chaya taught them express-method during loading, and pretended not to notice anything.
"Teyla will join soon," Alvar said, peering at the endless cosmos opening before us. "Decided to check posts..."
I closed my eyes, letting my mind connect to ship systems. The Hippaforalkus, like a Jumper, had no own intelligence or similar. Hard to describe what you feel connecting to such systems... Like a trained dog calmly sitting waiting for your command.
"I think time to start," I said, getting ship confirmation Chaya left the battleship. Leaving her aboard against will would be utter folly. While there's chance to restore relations, no need to climb into the bottle.
"All calm aboard," Teyla's voice came as she entered the bridge. She slipped to the auxiliary systems control console and, like Kirik and Alvar, used seatbelts. Non-standard equipment, by the way. Apparently, Ancients had no habit of "buckling up at the wheel." "Koschei placed in cell, stunned with stunner and hooked to IV with sedative."
Provisions enough for round trip. Worked transporting him to Atlantis, will work now.
"Well then," I gave mental command to activate inertial dampeners and protocol systems. "As they say, 'let's go'..."
A pale-green, blot-like window to hyperspace opened before the Hippaforalkus's nose. And the starship was in the glowing tunnel in a second. My first interstellar flight began.
Hippaforalkus enters hyperspace.