"The entered query is incorrect. Please try again."
"And that's all you want to tell me?" I inquired.
"The entered query is incorrect. Please try again," Ganos Lal repeated.
"Well, alright," I sighed, stepping down from the pedestal and sitting against the wall. I didn't even pay attention to the fact that the "hologram" didn't disappear. "Ah, how about I tell you a story?"
"Shall I activate the recording mode for a new file?" the Ascended one clarified, continuing her strange game.
"As you wish," I shrugged, pulling another plasticine-like hematogen bar from my backpack. "So. Once upon a time, there were the Ancients. That's what their Earth descendants called them. In their home galaxy, this race was called Alterans. In the Milky Way — Others or Ancients. In Pegasus — Lanteans. And so, the Lanteans, having had their fill of trouble in the Pegasus galaxy, flee to Earth. The whole lot of them. They live there, develop their descendants. And then, one of them, named Moros," the woman's light form twitched slightly at the corner of her left eye, "comes up with the idea that the ancient enemies of this civilization, fellow Alterans calling themselves the Ori, will decide to kill off all the Ancients. The other Ancients, already Ascended by that time, didn't believe in his ideas. And when Moros, also known as Merlin, also known as Myrddin, decided to create a weapon to fight the Ori. And since all the Ori without exception had Ascended, the weapon was dangerous even for the Ascended Ancients. So they sent one of their own to observe Merlin's experiments. To stop him. And when the weapon, named the Sangraal, was created, the observer destroyed it. Quite an engaging story?" I took a bigger bite, working my jaws energetically.
"An interesting story," the Ancient agreed.
"It will become even more interesting when I tell you what actually happened to the weapon's creator," I poked my fingers at the ceiling, hinting at the Ascended. "I'm sure those guys up there will be extremely interested to learn exactly how you deceived them. Of course, they won't intervene; that's not in your rules. But you won't be able to play your game anymore, pretending to be the hologram you yourself created for teaching children. And you won't be able to suggest planet names at the key moment in the story, which will affect the search for the weapon against the Ori…"
The "hologram," poorly hiding her interest in what I had told, looked at me openly. As I had hoped, the story intrigued her.
First and foremost because her plan might be exposed. The Ascended certainly won't destroy what she prepared for the future searches by the Earthlings, but there's a nuance — for the searches to go in the right direction, Ganos Lal herself is needed. Here, on Atlantis. And not in the form of a hologram, but under the very same guise under which she is present here herself.
The Ascended one who is passing herself off as a hologram.
"So, what?" I asked. "Will you deign to enlighten me, or should I start talking about your cunning so that others will listen?"
And again, only silence in response. The lady clearly knows her worth and is weighing the consequences of various actions.
Well, once again, I'm convinced that even in a moment of serious danger, the Ascended won't intervene. Even if the fate of their beloved legacy depends on it. Including the humans they created on numerous planets across various galaxies.
"Something is definitely happening here," I finished my snack and began pacing the room. "Let's reason logically while we have time. Among the Ascended, there are good-hearted ones who are ready to break their own rules and intervene directly in a crisis to help the fighters for the good cause. How good it is, we won't debate. The main thing is that when it comes to your interests, you find a way to nudge events using this or that person. Visions, hints, riddles, puzzles, and so on… All for achieving your goals. And here I am, appearing on Atlantis. Let's not insult each other's intelligence and pretend that the "Stargate" universe includes the version of Earth where I lived. Therefore, one of yours," I pointed at the ceiling again, "one of the Ascended, was so horrified by what's happening in your universe that they decided to seek help from another universe. And chose not alternative heroes known for their deeds, but me. A human who, in principle, knows and can do little about this universe. You gave me a young and strong body, probably even implanted your ATA Gene. And stuck me not in some backwater, but on Atlantis, in the Pegasus galaxy. Why not on Earth, in the Milky Way?"
The "hologram" was silent.
She stood in her previous spot, eyes closed. I suspect she's conducting mental negotiations with her allies on the higher planes of existence to get either a ban or approval for conversing with me.
"I suspect the problem lies in the fact that the troubles are right here in the Pegasus galaxy," I continued my brainstorming. "Something happened. Or didn't happen. Because of which one of you panicked and did what they did. Pity that good-hearted one, of course. But they knew what they were getting into. So, let's use the process of elimination. You're not worried about the Wraith and their hunting of humans — otherwise, you'd have intervened earlier. You're not worried about the other problems in this galaxy — for the same reason. So, something extraordinary happened… Something that completely ruined your plans for the future. Correct me if I'm wrong. I suspect that everything happening is far from accidental. I have a thought that the interventions are part of the plan and…"
"Stop."
Startled, I froze in place upon hearing the voice of the Ascended Ancient. First, I was glad she'd made contact. Then I realized: she did it to keep me from voicing my theory of the predetermination of all events.
She didn't want me to say it.
Because the other Ascended would hear. And take measures. After all, that's exactly what I was blackmailing her with — revealing to her kin Ganos Lal's secret plan to help the Earth humans in the war against their ancient Alteran relatives, the Ori. And I was counting on her interrupting me so the others wouldn't hear… Because the other Ascended would oppose it.
Time to put on a tinfoil hat and think that the Ascended won't like me much if they learn what I think about them and their plans? I don't know, I don't know… But such secrets are usually taken to the grave.
"So, have you ripened for a frank conversation?" I clarified.
"Within the limits permitted by the rules of Ascension," she said indifferently.
"Can I see the manual to form my questions correctly?" I inquired.
"You'll learn all those rules if you ever become Ascended," she said.
"I'd like a spiritual mentor to shorten the path. Got Oma Desala's address? She's a specialist in that."
Another silence, accompanied by the blinking of virtual eyelids.
Of course.
Ascension is a complex spiritual-mutational process. Both body and worldview change, becoming utterly alien to human nature and logic. One can overcome this path independently, or one can cheat, receiving "brotherly help" from an already Ascended being.
In the literal sense — seeing a worthy candidate for Ascension, an Ascended could help them become the same. Apparently, this doesn't even violate the rules and is widely practiced by certain Ancients.
Oma Desala is one of the latter "good-hearted" ones. Though the others don't like her. Because once she helped practically Ascend someone who was far from worthy.
Far from a kind and inquisitive researcher's mind.
But a parasite who takes over the bodies of sentient species, including humans. The Goa'uld are like that. And parasitism isn't even their biggest sin. I'd say it's the least of them. Mass murders, genocide, enslavement, destruction of planets, stars, and so on — that's a more expanded list of reasons not to like those guys.
Oma made a mistake and helped one of them nearly become Ascended. She stopped in time, but the process was already irreversible.
"You had questions," she reminded me. "I'm ready to hear them."
"But not answer them, right?" I smiled.
"I have no right to interfere in the lives and events of mortals," the Ancient stated one of the chief rules of the Ascended.
"But conversation doesn't count," I noted.
"Up to a certain point," she replied after thinking.
Rummaging through my memories, I assumed:
"Correct me if I'm wrong. You can't give direct instructions or use the powers, knowledge, technologies of the Ascended to help humans? But discussing general matters isn't forbidden, right?"
"Simplified, but correct," she said.
Alright, we'll sort that out later.
"I'm not from this universe, right?" In principle, the Voice said as much, but knowing the Ancients, they could have seriously screwed up. Especially since other Ascended might have disrupted the Voice's plan…
"Yes," she answered.
Not bad. So my logical thinking is quite decent. Let's continue gathering information. Especially since it doesn't particularly affect the overall situation. No energy is being spent, so the catastrophe isn't approaching by leaps and bounds.
"Who sent me here?" I inquired.
"I'm not at liberty to disclose that information," she said.
Interesting. And how could one name influence what might happen? Probably someone very, very powerful, authoritative, and well-known. And just their name could set me on a certain path.
A path the Ascended do not desire.
"What am I supposed to do?"
A direct question. And I'm sure I won't get an answer.
"I can't tell you that either," she admitted.
Nothing less was expected.
"Maybe then you'll tell me what problem occurred that required breaking the rules so severely?" I inquired. "You could have asked for help from any Earthling. General O'Neill, Samantha Carter, Doctor Jackson, Colonel Sheppard, Doctor McKay, and a good hundred others, more experienced and skilled…"
You could have… If you could. But what if you couldn't? What if the expedition to Atlantis I mentioned never arrives? And since that's the case, something happened on Earth that disrupted the chain of events?!
An intriguing guess.
Ganos Lal looked at me indifferently. Demonstratively indifferently. But something told me she didn't want to play silent treatment. She just knew what the consequences would be. "Itching to but can't" in full glory.
"You already have the answer to that question," she pronounced, carefully choosing her words. "I advise you to proceed from it."
O-pa…
Looks like I'm right. And wrong at the same time.
The problem exists. So gigantic that one of the Ascended decided to spit on the rules and seek help beyond the known "habitats." Went to another universe… But why mine specifically? Where "Stargate" is just a TV-literary universe, not reality. And why did the choice fall on me? I'm not the best expert on this universe, and I have no fanatical obsession. I can't read, write, or count in the Ancients' language, I don't understand the technologies, sciences. Just on a everyday level.
Or… Is it because I agreed without conditions that the Voice couldn't fulfill without severely violating the rules? Whoever he was, he was clearly walking on a knife's edge until he "slipped."
The Ancients allowed him to breach another universe, yank me from there… my consciousness? My soul? In any case, he took something that makes me me. The Voice gave me a body better than the one I had at the moment of death. I don't think he did it out of gratitude or because he had free time. During our conversation, he was in a hurry, as if he didn't have much time. There's probably a reason for that.
For example, the Ascended were already after him to call him to account for breaking the rules.
"Do you know why the Voice yanked me here?" I inquired. I doubted Morgana would lie to my face.
The answer to this question would let me learn a lot.
"Yes," she averted her gaze slightly.
"And you can't tell me about it?"
"Yes."
"Can't, or won't?" I blurted out.
Ganos Lal closed her eyes, and her face twisted in irritation for a moment. It happens when a persistent ant, before the boot comes down, spends a long time getting on the shoe owner's nerves.
But no answer came. Which means she doesn't want to answer. To either question.
"As you say," I stopped by my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. "Glad to have chatted. Don't speak ill of me. When the water floods everything here and Atlantis becomes unusable, please remember that you're the one to blame for my departure. Tit for tat!"
A provocateur is, of course, worse than most sexual deviations, but there are moments when you simply can't do otherwise.
She wouldn't have contacted me if there wasn't a need. And that means not only she, but all the Ascended need my help. I think after they heard that Ganos Lal had been fooling them for thousands of years, they could have "yanked" her out for a private chat with "Comrade Major."
"You're leaving?" an surprised voice sounded behind me.
"Yes," I replied simply.
"But… Why?" bewilderment reigned on the Ascended's face.
"Because I have legs, and I know how to use them," my shrug made her mimic a heavy sigh of irritation. "I asked you for a conversation, agreed that I wouldn't hear the most important things. But you decided that I shouldn't hear anything specific at all. So why should I waste time playing twenty questions with you?"
"Because you asked for it yourself," she said.
"Oh, don't get on my nerves, Morgana," I smiled. "Ancients, and especially Ascended, aren't altruists to respond to requests. Before even hinting at an answer, you test a person to see the real them. Well, maybe I failed the test, but thanks to you, I definitely know — you have very big problems. So big that one of your brethren went to another universe and started looking for someone who would dare get involved. And I wasn't the first he approached. But the only one who agreed. Which means you have no alternatives."
"Where did you get that from?" the Ascended flashed her eyes. "We can replace you at any moment…"
"Well," I spread my arms, "go ahead. Do it. Or let some other Ascended take responsibility for direct interference in my fate. Seems like you punish for that. And hardly just put in the corner."
"Insolent," she spat the word.
"I don't like being led around by the nose," I confessed. "You're talking to me as if I'm a nonentity. Logically, I show you the same in return. And unlike you, I can go to the hangar, take any ship, and leave this city. Remind me, how long until it floods? Hours? Days? The Gate is blocked from dialing any other incoming wormholes except from Earth? Will anyone come here to save the city? Will they make it or perish with all your knowledge?"
"You won't get an answer to any of the questions you just voiced," Ganos Lal cut off. "Your self-importance has blinded you."
"Or," I smiled, "I'm taking advantage of the situation and getting what I need. Didn't think of that?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to say."
"That if you had the opportunity to replace me with someone more obedient, you would have. If your problem wasn't so massive, you wouldn't have sent me to Atlantis. There are plenty of ruins of your civilization left in this galaxy. Any similar planet would have sufficed. But no, the Voice incarnated me in the capital of your fallen state. In a place with thousands of labs with projects from the most harmless, like communicating with local whales, to immoral ones, like social experiments controlling human settlements across the galaxy. Or, for example, recall the nanovirus that causes deadly hallucinations in everyone without the ATA Gene? Including the humans you yourselves created. I could list examples endlessly. But you've got the point — you're grasping at straws. And that's quite curious. It took dragging a human from another universe, when you could easily take any other human in this galaxy — since the Milky Way is inaccessible — implant the ATA Gene, teach them to use your technologies, and send them to perform the task. So…"
"Enough!" Ganos Lal interrupted my monologue in a quiet but commanding tone, barely containing her anger. "Get out of here!"
"With pleasure!" I promised. "I'll take Janus's time machine right now, experiment with it. Most likely not right away, but I'll definitely end up in Atlantis after your departure and live happily ever after until the end of my days. And there'll still be nine thousand years left until the catastrophe… Good plan, huh, Morgana?"
The Ascended's figure glowed as if someone had suddenly added a couple hundred lumens per square meter to her. Looking at her became painful…
"I won't tolerate this!" she cried out, raising her hands, in which she clutched something resembling snowy white spheres. "He was wrong, and I'll correct this mistake! Now!"
Honestly, everything inside me clenched. Paralyzed, I watched as the Ascended, who could essentially destroy a planet with a snap of her fingers, intended to unleash her wrath on me.
But she didn't make it.
Her figure blurred with a haze, as if something invisible but unstoppable pulled her back and upward…
"Nooo!" Ganos Lal screamed.
Her silhouette blurred, began to multiply. But each copy became smaller and smaller than the original…
With a light pop and flash of light, the "hologram" of Morgan le Fay disappeared from the holographic chamber.
Approximately that's how it was.
Left alone, I felt pangs of conscience. My temper isn't sugar, but life taught me not to let anyone ride roughshod over me. And especially not to use me in the dark.
And Ganos Lal intended to do exactly that.
Strange. From the series, I remembered her as a fairly peace-loving woman sympathetic to the Earthlings' cause. She risked and broke Ascension rules more than once to help in a tough moment. Even if she knew for sure the consequences wouldn't please her.
I was counting on that kind of attitude.
But we clearly couldn't find a common language. Every cell of my body felt that she disliked talking to me. As if I stood before her in dirt, staining the light of the sun with myself.
Of course, maybe I'm just exaggerating, but…
Alright, it was worth trying to get answers. Didn't work.
So no real choice — time to leave the city while…
The podium over which Ganos Lal had just vanished suddenly glowed. In the center of the room appeared a formless snowy white something, very much like the Voice.
And just as I rejoiced that the Ancient familiar to me had arrived, the "cloud" took on the familiar outlines of a hologram.
"I apologize for my compatriot's actions," she said, smiling slightly with her lips alone… Melia. "We started off on the wrong foot, Mikhail. I think there's no need for introductions?"
I think… Something utterly out of the ordinary is happening here.
***
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