Stargate Universe: Ascension

Chapter 12

     Rush had been awake for only a few hours, and already he didn't like how things were being run. He had programmed Destiny to wake him up first, but somehow that code was overridden and he was no where near the first to wakeup. All the major players onboard the ship, even Camile were awake and wandering around Destiny days, possibly even weeks before Rush even opened his eyes. This confused him a little but that was nothing compared to his reaction when he saw Eli, alive and well and running around Destiny like nothing had happened. It was impossible. He needed to find the answer.

     The first thing he did was check the stasis pods. To his shock, the pod that was leftover was never repaired. Rush didn't understand what had happened. Everyone was accounted for, no one had died and Eli never went into stasis. How could he still be alive after three years? The first person Rush approached Colonel Young. "We need to talk, in private."

     "About what?" Young asked as he didn't seem very interested in keeping company with Rush.

     "About Eli." Rush answered. "His stasis pod was never repaired."

     "I know." Young replied.

     "You know?" Rush repeated. "And you're not worried about it?"

     "Nope." Young answered rather casually.

     'And why not?" Rush demanded.

     "Cause Eli told me." Young replied. "Eli and I talked about it at great length when I woke up and I am more than satisfied with his explanation."

     "And what was his explanation?" Rush asked.

     "And ruin the surprise?" Young said as he flashed a coy grin. "I don't think so, Rush."

     "What is going on?" Rush asked as he didn't like being kept in the dark about anything.

    "Eli doesn't want you to hear it from anyone else but him." Young answered. "He respects you enough to want to tell you this to your face."

      Rush paused for a moment. "How do we know he's telling the truth? Shouldn't we confine him to quarters until…"

    "That will not be necessary." Young interrupted. "I've already confirmed Eli's story through very sound and respectable sources on Earth."

      Rush paused for a moment as he realize that Young wasn't going to budge on the issue one bit. "And you are sure about this? Who are these sources?"

    "Colonel Telford confirmed his story with me." Young answered, "As did many others including scientists like Samantha Carter and Rodney McKay. Is that good enough for you?"

     While Rush didn't appreciate Young's reluctance to spill the beans, he could understand why he believed what he had been told. There was no way all these people would cover up for Eli so Rush had to accept whatever Eli had to tell him was true. Rather than put things off and settle back in, Rush went looking for Eli to get the answers he was desperate to find. He found Eli on the bridge, navigating the ship and helping out with everyone else who was there. Rush walked up to Eli and put a hand on his shoulder. "I hear you wanted to speak with me."

     "Yes." Eli confirmed. "Let's talk in private."

     Rush followed as Eli led them to a room where they could speak in private, and Rush was the first to speak. "What the hell happened, Eli?"

     "To be honest, I have you to thank for that." Eli answered.

     "What the hell do you mean?" Rush asked, very confused.