As The Egg Carrier continued to move away from the combat zone, they saw the green flashes appear and then the message send out. Eggman stared at the hologram with a big grin across his face. "Sir, should we respond?" Thunderbolt asked.

"Not yet. They'll give us a minute to deliberate. I want to give the Special Zone Engines as much time as possible to spool up." At that point, Sonia's voice came over the speaker

"We are NOT giving into him." Eggman looked at the speaker.

"Of course not, sticking around is pointless, he has confirmed to us that Manic isn't here. Manic has access to all of my old designs." He then sighed "Also, i have seen the look in that Overlander's eyes many times. That is the look of a man who is going to kill anything and everything he can't control. I should know, i've seen it in the mirror on MANY occassions."

"Alright, preparing to launch!" Came Oglivie's voice over the comm.

"Don't bother. Look at the size of those ships. Far more new than even those ones that we faced last time. No, we're not going to win this by fighting. We need to escape, put as much distance between us and this whole damn sector as possible."

"So, what the hell do we do?" Oglivie asked.

"Sally, respond to him, get him talking and KEEP him talking." Eggman replied. "If he's as much like me as i hope, then he LOVE's the sound of his own voice." He then cut the comm. "TB, prepare one of the Egg-Robo's. If they are as "Intrigued" As i believe, then that might mean that they don't know how to track our machines very well. If we can get one aboard one of those ships, he might be able to learn something." He grinned. Luckily, the planets atmosphere was full of debris from several previous Republic raids, as well as the orbitting Raxus Prime that was a Junk Moon. The EggRobo took its little blaster in hand and walked out of the ship, jumping towards the closest of the green ships, whilst not activating its jet-pack. Looking to the side, it watched the new Imperial ships easily tearing their way through the Seperatist fleet.

****

Aboard Tarkin's ship, a hologram of Sonia appeared on the comm-device. She bowed. "Greetings, Admiral. I am Sonia Acorn, Princess of Mobius, Second Child of King Sonic and Queen Sally, Guardian of the Realm and Protector of the Chaos Emeralds." She paused for a second, she knew that she needed to try and buy as much time as possible. "We are prepared to surrender to you, Overlanders, but before we do so, certain assurances MUST be made. As per tradition, we will meet on neutral ground. I am willing to meet with you on the orbiting moon, we each bring our champion to ensure our safety. I can see that you are a wise and powerful leader who knows to respect anothers culture when they submit to your superiority in a situation." She said in her most verbotious and regal voice. She knew that she needed to stroke his ego if she was going to get anywhere. With ANY luck, it would give them the time they needed to get the Special Zone Engines powered up and ready to go... And if she could meet with him to discuss things in person, that would improve their position in this area of space.

---

---

---

---

Location: Resurgence - Briefing Room.

Yiithren and his group looked around the room nervously as negotiations seemed to creep closer and closer to an all out fight. While no stranger to war and capable of holding his own, even Yiithren knew that should someone start firing, the chances of them making it out alive were next to none. Especially with these Zerg sitting in the same room.

The more he looked at them, the more he was reminded of the creatures his people had encountered on isolated hive worlds back when they were just beginning to rediscover the galaxy. He would not be openly hostile towards them though. Not yet anyway. Hive mind like they may be, but it seemed as though they were subject to their Broodmother. Which meant they could be reasoned with.

He just had to keep them from feeling threatened enough to attack.

Something a certain Terran general was making extremely difficult.

"Look-" Kurqruik said, addressing the room at large as she stood up from her seat. "-fight this empire or don't fight it. It doesn't really matter. What does matter is getting back to our home universe's. And we can't even begin to do that if we just sit here bickering and casting blame for old wounds that have place in this reality." She finished, shooting a cold glare at both the armoured commander and the Zerg Broodmother before returning to her seat.

"My first mate is right." Yiithren said, glancing at her with one pair of eyes while the other pair watched the rest of the room. While it wasn't the most diplomatic way of getting these two to resolve their differences, it was a way at the very least. "Whatever issue's you have with each other need to die for the betterment of us all."

And there it was, a return to the one thing that Jason had been debating on handing out more than even basic technical stats, and that was the navigation charts. He paid little attention to the squabbles of the Terrans and the Broodmother, largely unconcerned with his claims of consuming worlds. As the four-jawed alien had said, they had only their word to go on and none of them knew if it was worth much at this point in time. Not to mention, even if it was true, that was back in their universe, not in this one. Hammer's voice came over on his ear piece. {Sir, we obviously have to give them something more than what we have and unfortunately, I think the star charts are the only way to do it. I've already ordered the helmsman to send copies to their datapads that we handed out, we can point them to the Kuat System. It's close enough to be all we need.}

The Supreme Commander doesn't speak right away, still considering for a moment before nodding. Without acknowledging the private conversation, he speaks up, cutting off further debate amongst them for the time being. "The star charts are already on the datapads the Commander handed out. If you'll pull them up and enter the name 'Kuat', you'll find that what you have there matches what we've got around us. But also knowing that, we will want to consider moving soon. The Kuat Drive Yards is the Empire's primary ship construction yard, which means it's well defended and has patrols that potentially come here." Jerus, meanwhile, had his hand hovering near his lightsaber as the Terrans and Broodmother verbally hash it out. Things might still spiral, despite the words of wisdom spoken by others.

---

While it might become his problem soon, the squabbling between any of the others was not Falul's concern at the moment. The Supreme Commander had given the navigational data, so Falul brought it up on the device that had been given to him, then placed it on the table while he again activated the display on his own holographic device. His ship's readings on the start positions around them had been transferred to his device ahead of the meeting, so he was able to compare the star positions that his people had observed with the charts that Erthos has presented them. Falul's eyes did not have the precision of a computer, but even he could see that the two maps lined up perfectly for their immediate area. And, of course, Erthos' navigational data was far more complete for the rest of the galaxy.

Based on what Falul had seen so far, this was the final piece of evidence that he needed to have his answer. Again, he spoke loudly, and with a voice that demanded attention. "This navigational data appears to be accurate. While it does not prove your word against the Empire, it is sufficient to be evidence that I cannot ignore. I can now believe that this is your universe of origin, which means you have information of direct value to myself, and any of the others here. Your claims about this Galactic Empire...may carry some weight after all."

With only a brief pause, Falul's gaze started to shift between the others in the room. "My only goal is to return to my homeworld, and unless here is someone here hiding secrets, none of us know how. But...there are those here with understanding of this strange occurrence who may be able to find that answer. None among my crew would be able to find this answer alone, but I can provide protection to those who can. If the Supreme Commander's word is true, then the Galactic Empire he so fears will attack us, regardless of our disinterest in their affairs."

With the quick interruption of a low, rumbling growl, Falul's tone grew yet louder, and with no hint of doubt in his conviction. "Any foe that intends to challenge me shall be faced with the wrath of ten thousand of my warriors. Any ship of this 'Empire' that challenges the Immaculate Aegis shall be cleansed by the fires of its fury. And if there are any here so foolish as to deny my protection, then you may leave without harm, while the rest of us get to work." Falul's eyes, after a moment, again focused solely on Erthos. "But know this, Supreme Commander: while it serves our mutual advantage, I will fight the Galactic Empire in the defense of any who agree to cooperate with us, but I am still not here to fight your war."

---

---

---

---

Location: Resurgence - Briefing Room.

Yiithren and his group remained silent, aside for some excitedly high pitched burbling as they perused the navigation data given to them by Erthos. Let the others make their boasts and claims. He and his people finally had the confirmation they had been seeking since arriving here. And now that they knew where they were, perhaps they could find their way back to where they had been.

"So my original estimation was correct," Strevrols muttered as he flicked through the files. "We are in another universe. Hmm. How intriguing."

"Yes, very." Yiithren said curtly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the star systems listed on his datapad. "But it still doesn't help us with actually finding our way home."

"True," The Va's chief engineer replied as he put the pad down and turned to face his captain. "but it does confirm our peoples' theories on alternate realities existing."

"I fail to see how that helps." Yiithren replied, annoyance briefly flashing across his face.

"Well..." Strevrols began, leaning in and lowering his voice so the others couldn't hear. "We are at war with the traitors who nearly eradicated our people in ages past. Which means we need as much resources and firepower as we can get if we want to defeat them and take back what was rightfully ours. And it just so happens that we find ourselves in a universe completely unaware of us and what we can do. So, logically, perhaps we can use our stay here to our peoples' advantage..."

Yiithren locked a pair of eyes on his chief engineers hunched over form, rage burning bright within them.

"I should have you drug before the Council and executed for even suggesting such a thing!" He spat, almost alerting the whole room to their conversation. "We are not going to be the advance force for an invasion, and we will not, under any circumstances, enslave or purge its native inhabitants!"

"But sir, think of all the benefits our people could reap from claiming this place! Why with some of the resources here, we could-"

"No." Yiithren said with steel in his voice, cutting Strevrols off. "And that's final. I'm appalled you would even think such a thing, let alone think you could sway me to believing the same. Be glad Admiral Kost is not here, else I'd have you court-martialed and stripped of your position faster than you could blink! Never speak of such things to me again, or else I'll have you jettisoned into the nearest star. We are not tyrants like our ancestors were, and we will not make the same mistakes they did. The only reason we fight those traitorous empires is to defend ourselves. Nothing more, nothing less. Now start transmitting this data back to the ship's navigational systems." Yiithren said, casting a glance around the room to make sure no one had overheard them, before returning his attention to the pad. All while making a mental note to keep a very close eye on his now silent chief engineer for the duration of their stay in this universe.

Sheppard handed the tablet over to McKay, who was already interfacing it with his own device as he tapped his headset. "Daedalus, download the data burst I'm sending you onto a firewalled non-network computer-" He offered a smile to the Supreme Commander. "-Just a precaution I'm sure you understand. We have just met after all, don't want you infecting our ship with a computer virus." McKay scrolled through the data on the tablet. Skipping past the pointless civil war that seemed to dominate most of it. Some of it seemed historical but other parts of it had to be propaganda. The Empire enslaving hundreds of species, blowing up planets. He missed dealing with the Wraith, they were simple. All they wanted to do was herd humans like cattle and eat up all of their life force. Within a few minutes of playing with the tablet while other people talked about whatever trivial matters they had to, he came up with a possible candidate.

McKay showed the tablet to Sheppard first who merely nodded. He then slid it onto the table. "This world called. Commenor? What kind of name is that-"

"McKay." McKay turned to see the face of distaste on Sheppard and Teylas faces.

"-Right. Anyway. It's relatively close to our position, shouldn't be too well defended and if the data you've provided is accurate it should be some kind of mass trade hub. So unusual ships and unusual people shouldn't be out of the, well. The usual."

Sheppard turned to face the Zerg, who at this point Ronan was actively scowling at for the behaviours of the little ones. "This is all dependent on whether or not we even decide to work together, and-" He said the next part while actually looking at McKay "-this actually has to be approved by the ship's commander before we do anything."

"Oh please, since when did you-" Teyla turned to Rodney, ignoring the queen for the first time since she had arrived in the room.

"Perhaps this is not the time Rodney."

"Assuming other people agree to do this as well. I feel like we have experience and technology when dealing with Alternate Realities that we stand a reasonable chance of finding our way home. If anyone wants to join us, so be it. At the end of the day, this conversation isn't helping us get any further to a solution."

Rodney spoke now, unable to contain himself any longer. "More importantly, we should try not to interfere with this reality too much. Which is more important for you Supreme Commander. After all, if this is truly your reality, and you were temporally displaced rather than dragged to another universe you run the risk of creating a paradox. Remember in your plans that what we do here, affects your future. If you also want help getting home well, we have even more experience with time travel than we do with altnernate realities."

---

---

---

---

Location: The Blathriin-Va.

Mihraan let out a small sigh as she stared through the semi-transparent casing of the sleeper pod, the white lights embedded in its walls dimly illuminating a small collection of items. An ornate looking rifle with a cracked scope, a small steel encased pad, the screen of which was blank, and a palm-sized crystal octagon covered with a strange cobalt blue liquid that had long since hardened into a thick crust.

"Never gets any easier does it?"

Mihraan nodded, casting a quick glance in Lathoor's direction as he approached.

"And the worst part is-" Lathoor continued, peering into the pod alongside her. "-he didn't even have to die. We could have left that hell hole of a world and come back later with an entire fleet to bombard it from orbit..."

"Lathoor, when will you let this go?" Mihraan asked, letting out an exasperated sigh as she gestured to the alcove. "Do you really think this is how Xi'ir would want to be remembered? With a grudge held against the choices our captain made?"

Lathoor sighed, his face tubes expanding slightly. "No, I don't suppose he would. But that doesn't excuse Yiithren for his actions. Oh sure he claims he's learned, claims he cares about us, but deep down, I think he's still just as cold as he was when Admiral Kost first appointed him."

Mihraan stared at him for a few minutes, before shifting her gaze back to the items in the sealed pod.

"I disagree, but I know arguing with you is pointless. You're too stubborn to listen." Turning away from Lathoor, Mihraan quickly shambled down the corridor before disappearing round a corner as she returned to her post to wait for Yiithren, Kurqruik, and Strevrols to return from their meeting with the commanders of the other ships, leaving the Va's navigation specialist standing before his comrades grave alone, bitter memories of a failed mission and a friend lost his only company.

---

---

---

---

Not waiting long for the stubborn captain to respond - and frankly wasn't willing to continue listening to their potential ignorance - Samus would find herself in the possession of the local star charts courtesy of Commander Jason on the datapads.

"The star charts are already on the datapads the Commander handed out. If you'll pull them up and enter the name 'Kuat', you'll find that what you have there matches what we've got around us. But also knowing that, we will want to consider moving soon. The Kuat Drive Yards is the Empire's primary ship construction yard, which means it's well defended and has patrols that potentially come here."

The bounty hunter took note of the surrounding star systems, including the one they happened to be right now - near the Imperial world of Kuat. However, other then that it was an industrial planet that served as the backbone of the Imperial navy, and that it was labeled as a Core-World planet, it didn't say too much about it. Other major planets in the area were Corellia, Alderaan, and Coruscant. The first two systems were described as lush and temperate systems, while the latter was yet another city-planet, only that it was far larger and apparently serves as the capital of the Galactic Empire.

If Samus was going to help Jason and the rest to get home, she'll need all the information she can get for these planets, as well as regarding other important worlds. She proceeds to walk up to Commander Jason while still holding the map in her free hand.

"Are there any other important systems that need to be noted?" she asked as she began scrolling through other nearby systems, "I am a bounty hunter on my world, however I've worked closely with figures such as yourself for the betterment of my galaxy. Pick me a target you want taken care of and I'll collect the bounty... for a small fee of course."

Travis had contented himself with listening, and taking a copy of The Resurgence's star charts. He was about to laugh at the bounty hunter, and ask them why they would want money from a universe that isn't their own. But as they spoke of taking combat to the empire he had a slight problem. It didn't strike him until this moment that he didn't have the ability to travel this galaxy as freely as the others, and the idea of following them very slowly would just bring a patrol down on him, so he had to reveal a fatal flaw to the group. "So in our universe." He gestured to the humans behind him as well. "We mainly rely on the relays to go faster than light, so we don't have the capabilities to keep up with the rest of the fleet. If one of you could give us a tow, or perhaps teach us to retrofit our engine with your technology supreme commander. Then we'd be able to keep up, but of course i'm asking a lot of you guys, so if need be i'll offer up a favor in return."

He tried to recline his chair as much as possible, this was definitely a great start to their new alliance. He was already asking for favors, he already needed their help, and asking for it felt like he was just trying to take advantage of their trust. But then again perhaps they could excuse it as he was the first to show his data, but then another thought occurred if they didn't help him that would leave everybody in the room very few options. They would have to kill him, and his crew. Or risk them falling into enemy hands if they were left behind, or risk them going to the empire directly for help. He knew who they were so he doubted they would just leave him, but he also doubted they would kill him out of the blue. That wouldn't exactly encourage cooperation, and trust among them if they started their new alliance by butchering a bunch of innocent people, of course these were extreme scenarios everyone here had a use, he was sure together they would find one for the Glasgow. "I appreciate any help nonetheless." He added in, giving a nod to the assembled leaders.

VENGEANCE // ASSIMILATOR STAR DESTROYER // RAXUS PRIME ORBIT

Tarkin scoffed at the hologram, he nodded to one of his officers to relay his own image back to them. His chiselled figures cutting a clear imposing image. He was a man who held the air of authority. He had hunted in dire situations, been left for dead more times than he could count. Held prisoner and fought in battles all over the Galaxy in the Clone Wars. He was one of the most experienced commanding officers that the Empire had at its disposal.

"Now Princess. I feel that you don't understand the complexity of the situation. By all rights, I have enough on you to fire on your insignificant vessel and end your life for crimes against the Empire. Conspiring with War Criminals, attacking Imperial Property and the like. However, you are a newcomer to our space and as such we are more interested in more. Diplomatic relations. You will power down whatever form of Hyperdrive you have, and your weapons then come aboard my vessel." He nodded to an officer out of the view of the holo communicator, targetting the ship in order to achieve a tractor beam lock. "Answer now, keep me waiting and your offer of amnesty will expire." During the exchange the creeping megalith of the Vengeance altered course, on a direct heading for the strange vessel.

Meanwhile, on Republic Military Networks. Not yet changed to Imperial Encryption codes, there was a broadcast that the war was ending. Reports of victory above Raxus prime using the new Assimilator Star Destroyers as well as reports of 'Lord Vader' successfully apprehending the last of the Separatist Leadership and sending out the droid deactivation codes.

Jason watched the exchange between the tentacled aliens out of the corner of his eye, though he was unsure of what was said. It would seem one of the pair, the engineer if memory served, had said something to upset the Captain immensely. Making a note to keep an eye on their small golden ship, Jason turned his attention to the four-jawed alien as he spoke. "I have not once called for war with the Empire, I have simply indicated that in my time and thus far in this one, they are not a trustworthy or kind establishment. Regardless," he looks over the assembled group, "cooperation is our best chance at both leaving and returning home and surviving any surprise attacks by the Imperials."

Pulling up the starchart on the table's holographic display, Jason indicates two planets, one a heavily forested one and another more plains and swamps. "Naboo and Kashyyyk, home to strong Republic backers and important members of my time's Rebellion. Kashyyyk is home to the Wookies, the large furry aliens you saw the Phase 2 clones stunning and gunning down in the holonet prodcast. The Empire has only recently established control and so their ability to keep the Wookies in check will still be weak at best. They're technological geniuses, able to work out any piece of technology they've not seen before in what seems like hours." Hammer chuckles and Jason raises an eyebrow at him before the Clone Commander speaks.

"Just don't make them angry, they're known to beat offenders to death with said offender's own arms." Jerus and Jason chuckle as well before the latter continues.

"Naboo is home to the Gungans and the Naboo, one a race of humans known for ace pilots and strong diplomats and the other a race of amphibious aliens with skilled warriors. The Empire won't have secured a strong presence there yet, but we forgo gaining aid with any technology any of us don't recognize if we go to Naboo." He stands up straight and opens his mouth to offer an end to the meeting when the orange armored person approaches him.

Listening to her piece, he shakes his head. "Unfortunately, we might not have the credits to restock our own reserves without allies. I apologize for that lack of work, but then, the Galaxy will ALWAYS have someone with a bounty on their head, you just have to decide where your moral compass points." Finally, there was the human who kept suggesting covert ops against the Empire who spoke. However, the mention of a need to get around since they couldn't independently enter hyper space...

"We will help you secure a hyper drive and send some of our engineers to help install it once we've secured a home base of some kind as well as an income." He looked around once more. "There is little else I can do to sway you to go where I do or do as I do, I can only suggest. Personally, I suggest helping the Wookies as the Worshyr trees are an excellent place to hide capitol ships like ours and the Wookies can help speed up repairs, fuel conversions and other technical issues. If we're done here, there are-"

The communications officer comes through his earpiece. "Sir, you guys may want to see this."

"Send it to our datapads."

A new report appears for all to read, and Hammer and Jason frown at the same time. "The war is ending, victory over Raxus Prime and Lord Vader has secured Mustafar and the Separatist leaders hiding there as well as sending out the deactivation code for the droid army." Jason shakes his head as he keeps reading. "So then it would seem my last option for allies after we secure a home base is gone. Though...Commander Hammer, take Wampa Squad to another briefing room. I have questions about these Assimilator-Class Star Destroyers and we're sending them out."

Once more, Supreme Commander Jason Erthos turns to the room. "I think we can all agree that what can be said has been. There are escorts ready to take you back to your ships and L/AAT's ready to fly you there if you rode one over. You have a way to reach me here on the Resurgence, contact me when you reach a decision. I have a covert mission to oversee."

And with that, Jason is gone, already heading to the bridge to use the tactical read-outs there as Wampa does their job.

---

The Terrans are the first to leave, re-entering their dropship as quick as they can after vehemently refusing to work with the Zerg before returning to their battle cruiser. Once the drop ship was back on the ship, their commander broadcasted to the other ships present that they would be using the provided star charts to find a planet to fortify, as far from the Zerg as they could manage. Then, in a flash of light, the ship departed, heading for the Force knew where.

---

While it was perhaps an uneasy accord, Falul did seem to have an understanding with Erthos. So as long as the Supreme Commander did not attempt to force Falul unnecessarily into his war, they could cooperate. Falul could recognize the limits of himself and his crew, and he did not think it likely that he would be able to get back to his home universe alone. With any luck, at least most of the other factions would come to the same realization that cooperation served their mutual advantage. Falul, of course, did not fully trust any of them, but he did, by this point, believe that most of them did not particularly trust one another either. If nothing else, that fact lessened the likelihood of conspiracy.

Since Falul had attended the meeting personally, he did not have to deal with the inconvenience of conferring with a superior, like some of these other envoys. For the Immaculate Aegis, the decision was made, and Falul was free to take his next steps. He had taken notice of the one who called herself a bounty hunter. Though not as familiar with that term, she did make it obvious that she was a mercenary. Several of the other military commanders present seemed to scoff at the idea, but Falul was perfectly accustomed to dealing with them. Every Kig-Yar on his ship was a mercenary. As long as it was a worthwhile trade, he could pay for a warrior's service. After Erthos started to leave, Falul stood up and looked down at the armored Human. Or at least, she looked like she was likely Human. "Not all trust purchased loyalty, but I am used to dealing with your kind, mercenary. If you can actually prove yourself worth hiring, you may yet have your...employer." He commented to her.

However, before they could have a chance to leave, Falul made sure to turn his attention to another of the groups of Humans: those who represented the vessel Daedalus. Given all this meeting had taught him, he had reason to speak with them. "And you, Humans." Falul announced loudly enough to be sure his words were not missed as he approached them, now even more obviously focused on McKay than before. Especially considering that he was still sitting, Falul completely towered over him. "I would speak with you."

AR-1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

The Commander walked out having given them two 'options' for what planet to go to. "What am I just invisible?" Teyla stood up turning to Rodney as she did so.

"No, you certainly are not that. Though it has to be said that he knows this reality better than anyone else present, he knows the strategic locations of importance."

"Yes and he also knows the places to take us where we would get into a fight with this 'Empire' he doesn't like. He might not be telling us to go to war with them, but it sure seems like he's going to drag us that way." A couple of the Clones that were still in the room were now actively watching McKay. "Yeah, I said it."

"At the end of the day, the decision is not ours. Colonel Caldwell will choose the course of action which he deems most suitable for the Daedalus and its crew. We are merely here as a point of first contact as we are the most experienced in dealing with alien cultures. We would do well to remember our place." McKay sighed, then winced slightly as he looked up at the alien with the four-pronged mouth thing.

"I would speak with you."

As soon as the aliens had started approaching the group, with Sheppard off talking to the representatives from the Glasgow Ronan saw it his place to be the muscle for Rodney and Teyla. He approached the tall alien, shipmaster whoever he was. The beast stood over a foot taller than him, however, that didn't intimidate him. Ronan stood right in front of him, eyes locked in a death-stare.

"Oh yeah? Well, how about you back up and tell me what you want."

"Ronan!" Teyla stepped forward, pulling Ronan back slightly with her hand on his shoulder. "We mean no disrespect-" If looks could kill. The one Teyla was giving Ronan would cut him to shreds. "-what can we help you with Shipmaster?"

---

If there was anything in common between Falul and Ronan, it was that they were equally as unfazed by one another. Falul was familiar enough with Humans to recognize their aggression, or defensiveness, in this case. Falul's only direct reaction to either Teyla or Ronan was a quick snarl, though it was not completely clear at whom it was directed, if anyone. He simply continued with what he had to say, regardless of any threats or diplomacy.

"You are not the Humans I know, not the ones that have earned their alliance with my people. Yet, I wonder, do you still have anything close to the same traits as them? Do you have the same tenacity and cleverness that allowed them to stave off their extinction at the hands of a superior foe? Would you be worthy of the same alliance? If so, I might extend my...cooperation to you." Falul began, seeming at first to be speaking to the whole of the group. Although, his focus did soon return to McKay. "You spoke as if you understand what has transpired, at least moreso than most. Are you competent as a...scientist? Are you capable of providing a solution to bring us back to our homes?"

---

---

---

---

Location: Resurgence - Briefing Room.

Yiithren and his group sat in silence as events unfolded around them. First, Erthos and one of his men had addressed the room, presenting them two choices for worlds they could travel to from here. One by the name of Naboo and the other Kashyyyk. Both of which he described the inhabitants of, which would no doubt be useful during their inevitable encounters with them, before touching on the subject of the Empire, in which he made it clear that he was not asking them for help fighting them. Yet Yiithren knew that if they were all working together, they'd eventually come into conflict with this Empire. If Erthos depiction of them was to be believed, any force that posed a potential threat to them or their goals, be it technological or otherwise, would be hunted down from one end of the galaxy to the other. And this little group of lost souls from other universes could only hide their presence for so long before someone eventually found out about them and word of their existence made its way back to whoever was in charge...

The sudden sound of a report coming from the datapad lying on the table before him, jolted the captain of the Va from his thoughts. Looking down at the device, he watched in scrutinizing silence as the information was broadcasted. Something about a Lord Vader securing some place named Mustafar and forcing Separatists, whoever they were, to effectively surrender. There was a brief mention of droid deactivation codes, which meant these savages had some skill with technology despite how primitive it probably was, but Yiithren didn't have time to pay it much mind before Erthos spoke once more. This time about how his last option for allies was gone, though none of the Canthari could be certain of who he was referring to. Although, Yiithren supposed it really didn't matter at this point. Allies were won and lost at the drop of a hat. But a secure base from which they could all operate? That was a bigger challenge.

The captain looked up from the pad and watched as the commander addressed the room one final time before leaving. Nodding to himself more than anything, Yiithren got up from his seat in one fluid motion and shuffled out of the room in silence, his two crew members following while his mind began analyzing everything that had occurred so far. It was an impossibly complex situation with too many moving parts for his liking, but one both he and his crew had to deal with nonetheless. Letting out a deep sigh through his face tubes, Yiithren and his group quickly made their way back to the LAAT that had brought them here. Getting aboard, they watched and waited as the pilots powered up the engines and swung the craft out of the Resurgence's hanger and into cold deep of space once more.

AR1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

A smirk crossed Rodneys face. "Competent Scientist? Well, granted you don't know me yet but I'm the best our planet has to offer. Not to mention without a doubt the one who can help us find a way home." Ronan turned to face McKay, a look of warning on his face.

"McKay."

"Oh come on Ronan, their ship is considerably larger than the Daedalus if they wanted to be hostile they would have done it already. Besides they're not the Wraith. In terms of your other question, stave off extinction? In eight years we toppled an empire that stood for hundreds of years and became made strides in technological advancement with the loss of very little life. Not to mention we started a rebellion to free slaves from centuries of indoctrination at the hands of the said empire and saved two galaxies from a threat a race far more advanced than us couldn't stop." The instincts of Teyla as a leader and a diplomat stepped in.

"It is true, I have come to know these humans from Earth a year ago and they have been honourable friends in a fight against a race far more powerful and numerous than we can even describe. They have done more to hurt this evil race of beings in one year than anyone has for a thousand years. They are honourable warriors and good friends and I have seen them solve problems where I could never had imagined the solution." She looked at Ronan with a raised eyebrow.

"They've done good by me, taken me in, healed me, killed Wraith. That's all that matters."

"But yeah to answer your question, shipmaster was it? We're your guys." He couldn't believe he was being diplomatic with an alien right now. An alien that looked like something out of a horror film. "I assume you have your own scientists who you'd like me to collaborate with?"

---

"Hmph, your accomplishments may be impressive...depending upon the strength of your enemies. But there is no purpose to weaving stories about a universe I have never seen. In the end, only action matters." Falul replied. He was not sure if the answers the Humans gave were just stories, but he had seen at least some degree of evidence that the Humans possessed some knowledge of science that would be helpful. Ultimately, that was all he needed right now. Their ability as warriors was secondary.

Falul nodded his head to McKay. "I will grant you all of the information my vessel's sensors collected when we were pulled to this place. The Immaculate Aegis is a military vessel, but there is an artisan-engineer and a scientist aboard you may collaborate with. I shall also grant you permission to employ the assistance of my vessel's spirit and, if necessary, a Huragok. As you are not of my universe, I will inform you that these are exceptional privileges that no Sangheili commander would grant lightly. But, these are...exceptional circumstances."

---

---

---

---

"Unfortunately, we might not have the credits to restock our own reserves without allies. I apologize for that lack of work, but then, the Galaxy will ALWAYS have someone with a bounty on their head, you just have to decide where your moral compass points."

The bounty hunter simply shrugged at Commander Jason's response. After all, he did have a point regarding their current monetary situation.

"I understand," Samus responded, "In desperate times, we must reserve as much as we can. However, we can negotiate on other forms of payment. New tech, weapons, armor, enhancements, info, and repair compensation will also do just fine, so as long as I find the rewards as beneficial."

Her reply would be intercepted by another figure - the main four-jawed alien captain of the Immaculate Aegis.

"Not all trust purchased loyalty, but I am used to dealing with your kind, mercenary. If you can actually prove yourself worth hiring, you may yet have your... employer."

The armored bounty hunter turned to face the large alien beast. She caught a glance of him sitting down when she was entering the briefing room, however now that she's standing toe-to-toe, she quickly realize how abnormally large he actually was. It wasn't the fact that she felt intimidated by him - which she wasn't in any sense seeing how she fight way bigger and badder opponents - but it simply took her off guard.

Samus was about to respond to the alien's question before he was interrupted by other characters. Seeing that they were deep into their conversation, she was unwilling to interrupt them. All she could do was listen into their conversation and wait for the right time to talk to this "potential employer".

AR-1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

McKay looked at the armoured figure who walked over, some form of mercenary. Well, they had been heard off in the Milkyway, it made sense that people would want to take advantage of strife and conflict in order to make a quick buck. This wasn't where his interest lied after all. Scans from a new form of alien vessel? The scans themselves could give them valuable insights into the way the ships operated. Meeting with skills in sciences from other races and universes also opened a wide array of new technology. New technology meant new challenges, he had no doubt he'd conquer them quickly but looked forward to them nonetheless. He missed being able to work on new things without the threat of impending doom, while they had to get themselves back to their universe at the very least they weren't in trouble in this universe.

"I mean you keep judging us to the humans of your universe, so I figured we'd explain the situation as we have it. I have no idea what an Artisian is or a Hurgalok but if they're scientists then we can figure something out I'm sure. What even is a ships spirit?"

Teyla smiled. "Perhaps, this discussion would be better had once we had a chance to return to our respective ships and plan our next course of action."

"This is our next course of action Teyla. We work together with other people to find a way home." McKay turned back to Falul. "Though I suppose we'll need to find a way to send data between ships so we can continue to work together-" McKay looked over at Sheppard who seemed to still be in conversation with the crew of the Glasgow. "-We'll need to wait till Sheppards finished before we leave though. Assuming our host is still willing to transport us."

---

Falul softly growled to himself. Of course there would be questions. He at least partially agreed with the female, if only so he would not need to answer the questions himself. However, practically speaking, it would be better for him to simply give the basic answers they needed right away, especially as it pertained to the nature of the privileges he was giving them. "The ship's spirit, the Humans of my universe would call it an...artificial intelligence. A thinking machine. The spirit of my vessel is of Human design. An artisan-engineer is a master of the design patterns for our weapons and technology. And a Huragok is a creation of the Forerunners. Imbued with some of their knowledge, they bear the legacy of the Forerunners' technological prowess. A Huragok should be able to understand your simple devices without effort."

Even after answering McKay's questions one after another, Falul realized his answers were incomplete. They had no notion of what his universe was like, nor the civilizations within it. However, Falul did not want to waste his time with more explanations than he needed to, as long as the Humans were satisfied with his answers. "However, any of your research with one of my Huragoks must be carried out on my ship. On no circumstance shall I ever allow a Huragok to leave my vessel."