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“Jace–the Pilot–is certain this is safe. He’s completely recovered and has full access to the Osiris’ systems and those on the planet,” Jack continued. “Even if Jace is not physically aboard the ship, it’s just the same as if he was.”

Dai nodded. He clearly understood this. He was a scientist after all!

But they need the security of someone in charge being physically present.

“The Pilot would not lightly pull me away, Dai,” Jack reminded him.

Dai let out a breath between his teeth. “I know. And you wouldn’t either. I understand that, but…”

“You’re scared,” Jack stated rather than asked.

Another nod. “It’s irrational, I know. But I keep thinking: what if we get cut off from the Pilot again? Only your quick thinking–”

“And yours,” Jack reminded him.

He nodded. “And mine saved us last time. The Osiris is a remarkable machine, but, in the end, it is a machine. And I can’t believe I’m saying that!” Dai threw his arms up into the air. “All my life, I’ve wanted to create something a fraction as good as the Osiris! And now, I see that even something as amazing as it is, well… it needs us.”

Dai gave him a crooked smile.

“Already learning on this trip.” Jack nodded. “The Pilot needs to meet and choose new crew members. He must work with the Alliance Council to get their support. And he must confer with his top people to come up with a plan. Sometimes in person is the best way to do that.”

Dai covered his face with his hands and furiously scrubbed his eyes. “Of course, you’re right! And I wouldn’t want you to miss a moment with your family on an alien world no less! I’m certain the Pilot needs you exactly where he’s asked you to be. Forget I said anything. I can handle things here, Flight-Commander Parker.”

He half expected Dai to salute. The engineer did lift an arm awkwardly and then dropped it as if he wasn’t certain where it should go.

“I won’t forget it,” Jack told him, which had an almost comic look of dismay flowing across Dai’s face. “Because it’s important. Your concerns are valid, Dai. Your fears are valid, too. And I know you’ll handle things when I’m gone just fine. But I do want you to speak with Dr. Kerr at some point.”

“But I–yes, sir,” Dai quickly amended.

“Not as a punishment,” Jack assured him. “I’m going to see her myself.” He stroked his chin. “While we all knew that we were going to face the Khul at some point, none of us knew it would be so soon or like this. It’s like finding out that the army you’re facing isn’t two times as good as you and twice the size, but ten times as good and 100 times the size.”

Dai gave him a genuine smile. “I knew that Alliance needed us, but not this badly.”

“No, I agree. The Pilot was always needed in a leadership position, but now I think we all see that they need all of us all the more.” Jack drew in a deep breath. “And we’re playing catchup.”

“The Khul underestimated us. That’s something,” Dai brightened a little.

“That they did.” Jack smiled back. “Now I need you to continue to monitor the fuel intake, but also to continue your studies of the Osiris. I need you to know what it can do in any given situation.”

Dai nodded. “I can do that.”

“I know you can. Because you already have shown you can,” he reminded the engineer. “When it matted, Dai, you were there. You were on top of everything. Keep that in mind.”

Dai nodded. “I’ve never been in any kind of battle before. I’m glad I kept my head. But I must do better.”

“We’ve all got to do that,” Jack told him. He clapped Dai’s shoulder one last time and then turned from the man towards the gangway into the ship. “I’ll be in touch. If you need me for anything use the comm no matter what the time.”

“Will do!” Dai waved.

Jack gave a wave back as he boarded the dropship. His heart quickened as he entered the spacecraft and realized that he would be flying it. He slid his fingers across the sensor for the gangway. There was a hiss and hum as it closed. He rubbed his hands together as he made his way to the cockpit.

The pilot’s chair moved back and turned to the side automatically at his approach, seemingly welcoming him to the ship. His heart raced a little faster. He had worked extensively with Thammah while they’d picked the human crew, not to mention the dozens of simulation hours he’d added to that, and his near constant review of all manuals. When he sat down and the harness clicked around him before the chair turned and slid back into perfect piloting position, he wiggled his fingers before reaching out to start the preflight checklist. But buttons started to light up all on their own as if someone else was flying.

“What the Hell?” Jack whispered to himself.

Except, of course, he was not alone. He was never alone.

I will fly you to the planet’s surface, the Osiris said, it’s text scrawling across the viewing screen in front of him.