Stargate Atlantis: Fool's Errand
"John? John?"
John Sheppard held up his hand, stopping the inquiry. The team had just stepped through the Stargate and everything appeared to be fine. In fact it appeared as if nothing had changed since the last time they had been here, four years ago. The village was a short walk away and bustling with activity. Warm winds blew, causing the flowing fields to sway as the harvest was being gathered by a crew of workers. Scythes and blades glinted in the warm air. Horses were pulling carts along, plowing and trampling the dirt underneath their hooves.
In the distance stood the tower, or what could be seen of the Ancient city. Most of it was underground, buried and forgotten after thousands of years and possibly inaccessible. Red banners flapped in the wind smartly, proclaiming authority and government.
"Well, I would have thought they'd at least develop roads," John remarked as they began to stroll towards the village. Dirt clouds scuffed along his boots.
"Or democracy," Rodney McKay said. "Half of these people have the ATA gene now. So why hasn't anything changed?" He glanced behind him to see Jason Reynolds and his team of marines following, taking up flanking positions. He wondered at the extra team of military men and eyed John, but John hadn't revealed his reasons to anyone.
It made Rodney nervous, this show of excessive force on a supposedly friendly planet.
"Perhaps it is easier for them to keep their old form of governance, but with modifications," Teyla Emmagan suggested. She eyed the people as they worked. All appeared healthier than the last time, not as downtrodden or as fearful. She spotted tower soldiers among the populace, not threatening the workers but helping them.
She glanced behind her at the following marines. She wished she felt the same comfort, but something was bothering her and she couldn't quite relax.
"We have company," Ronon Dex noted. He hadn't drawn his gun, not yet, but it was in easy reach. The additional marines didn't faze him at all; in fact he welcomed the back-up should it prove necessary. He was sure that John had excellent reasons for the added firepower.
The fact that he didn't disclose them was a bit troubling, however.
The team paused, watching as a group of men approached. They were tower guards, all clad in black with red insignia across their chests. Their weapons were lowered but they eyed the visitors with suspicion.
"Hi," John said.
"Do you remember us?" Rodney asked.
"We visited you years ago," Teyla reminded.
"Yes." One held up a scanner, running it over the team. "Yes…you are the ones who freed us from the tyranny of the Lord Protector and his clan. You gave us the magic shot to enable peasants to join our council and run the villages."
"Something like that," John commented, glancing at his team. He glanced at Jason and the marines, giving them a curt nod. He looked back at the soldiers. "We need to—"
"The Queen has seen you and recognized you. She wishes to see you. This way."
"The Queen?" Rodney asked. "I guess some things don't change," he grumbled.
"What is it with these queens?" John muttered. "We'd be delighted. Lead on," he gestured.
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The room looked the same, exactly the same, even down to the crimson and gold banners on the walls. The sumptuous setting was just as medieval and just as overdone as it had been years ago. The two teams stood staring round in surprise, in shock. It was as if time had stood still on this planet, despite the advances Atlantis had encouraged and the addition of giving them the gene therapy. It should have broken the lock the royal family had on the rest of the population.
It appeared to have made not much of a difference to their society.
John strode to the Ancient Chair which they were still using as a throne. A beautiful woman was sitting there, clad in pale blue silk. Golden ringlets fell from her bound hair around a still youthful face. She smiled and moved to her feet, stepping to meet him, hands extended towards him in greeting. Her red lips formed a smile as her blue eyes caressed him. "John! John, how wonderful to see you again!"
John took her proffered hands, gently squeezed and gave her a dazzlingly smile. "Yeah, likewise…"
"Mara," she gently reminded, pouting slightly.
"Of course, Mara," he agreed. He had forgotten her name until she had said it. Mara. It was close to Moira, but not quite the same and the two women could not have been more dissimilar. Mara was beautiful, blond and younger and as far from a scientist as one could possibly get. He smirked at the comparison but schooled his expression, smoothly resuming. "I thought you were going to do away with this whole medieval charade," he chastised.
"What? Oh, well, yes. The peasants, I mean our people are citizens now, and those that share the royal bloodline are here to aid in the protection and running of our planet."
"This is just like Atlantis! Except for the décor, of course," Rodney noted, staring round and John remembered it was the physicist's first time in this part of the city. "Not to mention the anarchic furnishings and the antiquated use of Ancient technology! I mean look at this!" He moved to a long banquet table under which was a console. He shook his head. "This is, I mean was a control panel of some sort, probably to some secondary systems now defunct! And now it's a buffet table!" Nevertheless he grabbed a sweet roll from a tray. "What?" he asked round a mouthful.
"Of course you are all welcome to stay as our guests and we—"
"First we need to explore your city," John stated. "We need to examine the catacombs. We need a power comparison to our own city, you see, and I knew you would help us. In return I'm sure there is something I can do for you." He smiled, tilting his head and slightly adjusting the stance of his body. He couldn't have been any more obvious if he had said the words.
"Here we go," Ronon muttered with amusement, as Teyla rolled her eyes. Rodney was too busy eating to notice or else he would have voiced a louder comment.
"Of course, John. You shall have whatever you need…if you can help me with some things." She took his arm, voice lowering. "The truth is that even with the magic shot we are having trouble with the tower and its screen of power. Even the throne is not as strong as it once was. No one has as strong a touch as you do."
"Ah. I can help with that, and give you all the power you need to keep the city and your people in check," John said, answering to what she really wanted from him. He played along with a smile. "You need a firmer hand on the reins, like before and I can provide that. Can someone show my scientists to the catacombs while we negotiate?"
"Of course!" She turned, waved a slender hand. "Juergon, show them to the catacombs and give them whatever they need!"
"I obey, your highness. This way."
"Huh?" Rodney turned, wiping his hands on his pants to see a man gesturing. He looked at John, sighed. "Fine. Why do I always get the gangly male guide while he gets the beautiful woman?"
"Do I really need to answer that?" Ronon quipped with a grin.
"All of you go with Rodney. Radio me when you get there and power the systems for a status check," John ordered. "You know what we are looking for and I expect an analysis in fifteen." He glanced at Jason. The marines moved to stand near the Ancient Chair, taking up positions around it like some royal guard. "Shall we?" He began to lead Mara towards the stairs. "You need a stronger hand, is that it?"
"Yes, John, that's it exactly!" she enthused, blue eyes shining as she smiled at the handsome military commander. Remembered pleasures danced in her gaze.
John let them. He remembered how she had tried to manipulate him. Manipulating her would be a piece of cake now, and John thoroughly intended to get what he came for, taking what he wanted, and enjoying his own slice of cake at the same time.
Turnabout was fair play, after all.
Teyla watched the marines until she looked back at John but he was ascending the stairs with Mara. Her arm was linked with his and they were talking amiably, like old friends. Teyla frowned, wanting to question John or even Jason but instead she followed after Ronon and Rodney to the bowels of the city.
Something wasn't right and she fully intended to find out what it was.