Chapter 28 (1/2)

Destiny

In the control interface room Dr. Rush and Eli Wallace sat running various simulations of the sh.i.p.s systems. In the background Destiny's AI continued to model the complex message fragments in the form the two genius's had requested. It would take time for these models to be completed. With their newly found worry free time an in-depth exploration of the sh.i.p.s lesser known systems was being conducted. Countless systems had been discovered, and it was suspected that months from now discovery of other new systems would still occur.

A brilliant flash of purple hued light in the room caught both Eli and Rush's attention. Standing before them was a well dressed they had seen before with Colonel Young. This was the Furling Ambassador they had all heard so much about, and the one they thought of in thanks for their coming return home.

”Greetings.” said Dorin.

”Ambassador.” said Rush, nodding his head.

”Um, hi.” said Eli with his normal awkward look.

”I've come to share the pleasure of your company for a bit of time, if that is agreeable to you both.” said the Furling with a bright and honest smile.

With a wave of his hand Rush invited Dorin to sit at the unoccupied work station in the control interface room. Inevitably the two began to share their recently uncovered data, and Eli's theory. After twenty minutes Eli quickly shifted topics.

”You didn't come here by ship did you?” asked Mr. Wallace.

”Destiny is still traveling in FTL, so you know for certain I did in fact not arrive by ship.” answered Dorin.

”Long range beaming is mathematically possible.” interjected Rush.

”Nothing such as that I'm afraid, Dr. Rush. My race has seen many galaxies. We migrated from galaxy to galaxy, spreading harmony where we could. Like the Alterran's, we also followed the path to Ascension. After obtaining a more thorough understanding of the universe we returned to this plain of existence in our original forms while retaining our status as Ascended beings. That is how I am able to freely come aboard this ship now. We never subscribed to the Alterran philosophy of non-interference. This caused larger problems later, and in the ashes of that mistake we withdrew from normal interaction in the Milky Way, until now.” stated Dorin with a sigh.

”The Ancients interceded then to stop you?” asked Rush.

”No, nothing as direct as that. Two thousand years ago we encountered a human populated world. Their desire to learn was unparalleled at that time. In our ignorance we thought we had discovered the humans we were sworn to watch over. That later turned out to be those from your planet, but I digress. With our assistance we liberated this world from the clutches of the Goa'uld who had enslaved them and banned all education. We lifted them into freedom and began sharing our knowledge. Over time these people progressed greatly and grew in great numbers. Their analytical approach to everything in their path ultimately led to their methodical conquest of technologically lesser worlds. The worlds added to their confederation were meant to be agriculture production worlds to feed their ever increasing numbers. They unleashed plagues on those they encountered destroying many cultures, leaving behind a mere handful to produce crops. Every trace of the culture that existed before on these worlds was buried and forgotten. We treated the Aschen as our children. Nothing is harder to behold for a loving parent than to see that child full of potential grow into a monster.” sadly said Dorin.

”Why didn't you intervene?” a shocked Eli demanded.

”In a way we did. My race made it not impossible but improbable that the Aschen could ever make much use of the stargate to further their expansion.” answered Dorin.

”That dragon was slain some time ago Eli. The Aschen attempted to manipulate Earth into their confederation. They offered technology to combat the Goa'uld, medical advancements, and other assorted technology in exchange for a copy of our database on known Stargate addresses. At the eleventh hour their true intentions were discovered. They attempted to send a bio-weapon through the gate to Earth, which luckily didn't make it. The addresses we provided began with a black hole and grew worse from there. It's assumed their home planet was destroyed when a wormhole with the black hole gate was established.” Rush said giving a small SGC history lesson.

”Aschen Prime was indeed destroyed by the black hole. Those that remain among the other planets of their confederation fell into a state of famine. This continued for some time until the arrival of the armies of the Ori in this galaxy. The Aschen were eliminated to the last man at their hands restoring balance. They were uplifted by an Ascended race only to misuse this assistance. Their end was brought about by an Ascended race.” Dorin sighed.