Chapter 1: Assignments

"You think that he's hiding something?" Eli asked sceptically as he studied the Colonel standing next to him.

"That's what I want you to find out. Talk to whomever you have to." Young said and dismissed himself as he headed for the doorway.

"Do you have any clue as to who I should talk to?" Eli asked switching off the monitor and standing up facing the Colonel head on.

Young turned round and his face screwed up as he thought about who would be able to teach Eli everything he needed to know that wasn't Rush. Then the name on one of the files flashed through his mind and he wondered if it was the same person that they really needed aboard this ship. If it was them then they were extremely lucky.

Deciding that the likelihood of the name of that person in the files was indeed the person they desperately required were pretty big but without confirmation he decided not to tell Eli the name that would hopefully help save them all until he was absolutely sure. "I'll assign someone to you in the morning. Goodnight."

With that obscure answer Young left a confused Eli to ponder on his task and what would await him in the morning. Heading to what had become his office; Young snatched up the personnel files and glanced through them until he found the one he was searching for. Upon reading the name a wave of relief came washing over him and he sat down reading the file over and over again. Realising that most of the people would be heading to bed now, Young stood up and practically ran out of his office and to the viewing deck where he guessed that specific person who be watching the universe pass by.

When he arrived at the viewing deck, Young had to take several deep breaths to regain his composure before approaching the lone figure staring out at the lights that the FTL drive created.

As if sensing his approach the figure turned round to face the colonel with a small smile decorating their face. "I was beginning to wonder when you'd realise I was onboard. How can I help you Colonel?"

"I'm sorry but we've been pretty hectic since we arrived here." Young replied curtly, no matter how important this person turned out to be, he was the one in charge and he was to be respected.

"I know and I understand. I have been helping out where I can, and I guess that Rush doesn't know I'm aboard either or he would have dragged me to his working station instantly." A silent pause passed between them until they spoke again. "I'm thinking that you want me to assist him?"

"No, actually I want you to assist Eli. I've given him an assignment and he's going to need someone to teach him, I thought that he would benefit from you the most."

"The fact that you're asking me to teach him and not Rush infers that it is to observe Rush and his secret objective? That stunt he pulled earlier was idiotic but I understood his reasoning behind it. He maybe arrogant and frustrating but he is unfortunately one of the best minds Earth has to offer."

"As are you, now you may be young, but the fact is you are also one of the best minds Earth has to offer alongside Samantha Carter and Rodney McKay. In fact you're pretty much on the same level as them." Pausing for a minute to allow the information to sink in, Colonel Young continued on "I need you to teach Eli everything you know and keep an eye on Rush, that is the assignment I'm giving you."

"I don't like spying on my colleagues Colonel, but I can't object to helping a brilliant mind further its knowledge and so I accept your assignment but know that I am not entirely happy about it. Now if you don't mind I'm rather tired and I have an early start tomorrow." They walked out the door and headed to the dormitories while nodding at the Colonel as a sign of respect as they left. Young followed suit as there was nothing left for him to do today. But at least they had someone else aboard that was qualified to be here, which improved things, if only marginally.

Tomorrow would be a very interesting day.

A/N: This is just a short opening to set the scene and what is to come. Hope you liked it. Next chapter we will be introduced to this mysteriously needed character. Please review.