Disclaimer: The Stargate Atlantis show and its characters are not my property, only the idea of General Linia and the immortals are mine; Sateda, Ronin, Dex and the rest of the Stargate Atlantis show are not mine.

On Sateda, up until its destruction, dwelt also Linia Conlan, Ronon Dex's old friend. Linia was the best warrior the world had seen in generations. She was the commander of the Immortals, the world's Honor guard. The members of the Immortals were all handpicked among the best of the best of the world's commandoes (Special Forces or SF) with further emphasis on psychological and political topics. Of all the members of the Immortals not one of them was below the rank of captain. Of the 300 Immortals one was a general (Linia), three were Colonels, and there rest were Lt. Colonels, Majors, and Captains. Each Immortal in the last stage of their initial training was given three cybernetic implants: one heightened their physical abilities, one dramatically sped up the healing process of physical wounds and illnesses, and the third improved the mental processes including providing them all with photographic memory. But the general was allowed a fourth implant, one that allowed her to interface with computers, with the help of a specially modified headband and cybernetic gloves. The headband and gloves were for times when they are not wearing their full body armor, since those capabilities were built into the electronic capabilities of their powered full body battle armor. All the Immortals were issued 3 sets of genetic imprinted powered full body battle armor specifically built for the individual. The modifications and special abilities of the armor depended upon the individual's skills, talents and rank. The armor was plain black and unadorned, except for subtle changes for the different ranks.

Linia had met Ronon Dex during their basic training, and they had become good friends. But, when she had been recruited into the ranks of the Immortals and then made their general, she introduced Ronon to one of her friends (his future wife) to ensure that they never went beyond friends. Though it hurt her to play the part of bridesmaid to Ronon's new beloved, she knew it would hurt her even more to break her new Oath to the Immortals. The Oaths of every Immortal were: 1. Never marry, 2. Always serve the planet's interests before their own, 3. Protect their leader with their very lives, 4. Always protect the weak and defenseless, 5. Always enforce justice and the laws of their government, and 6. Never abuse their power or abilities. These oaths were taken particularly seriously. For death was deemed too easy and painless of a punishment for oath breakers among the Immortals.

Due to these severe restrictions forbidding marriage and families, the Immortals created strong family ties amongst themselves. The general became almost an older sister figure for the others, while the colonels became the middle siblings the youngest look up to and respected, and the captains are the youngest of the siblings that the others will always look after. All Immortals are looked up to and revered by the rest of the population, whether civilian or not. This mindset gave the Immortals a feeling of responsibility beyond what was already there, a feeling of separation from the rest of their culture. In a sense they created their own culture. They became dependent on themselves and independent from the rest of their own civilization.

But then came the betrayal…

Early one morning, Linia was on her way to spend her day off playing ball with the other Immortals. However, on her way out the door, she was caught by a messenger.

In shock, she walked to the gym where her people were still playing their game without a care. As she walked in the door, one of the colonels stopped playing. She could tell something was wrong, so she signaled for the rest to stop as she walked toward her commanding officer.

"Attention On Deck!"

"General, what is wrong?" the Colonel, named Ada Kan, hesitantly asked General Conlan.

"I just received a message from The Chieftain, Ada." Linia said slowly.

"Great, we don't get the day off." Captain Rich Gray laughed, which sprouted laughter among the rest.

"Does he ever let us rest Ma'am?" asked Captain Joy Dae.

"He would normally, but not now." replied Linia.

"What happened? Please, we want to know," Colonel Kan begged.

"Is someone threatening him?" inquired Colonel Art Barrow.

"I wish it was something that simple," Linia said with a sigh. "Bern, the messenger, just informed me that our people have been betrayed to the Wraith; and we have to prepare to escort The Chieftain to safety on a moments notice. We don't have much time, and we don't know where we're going."

"Ma'am, who in their right mind would betray us to the wraith?" asked Captain Gray asked.

"If I knew, they wouldn't be alive to bother us right know, but it isn't our business to ask. We were trained to fight, and to defend. We will defend the one we swore our lives to and our people we serve for as long as we can. That is all we need to know."

Linia walked slowly down the long hall. This would be the last time she would see the place that had become her home in the last few years. Her people were preparing for departure and she had one hour left before they were to escort their leader to the Ring of the Ancestors. They would not be able to carry any of their personal belongings with them. All they could take would be what they could carry in addition to their weapons, ammunition, and provisions they were required to carry. What each needed they carried on them, in the case of separation during a battle. They wanted to take no chances; there were no guarantees about what would happen. Linia did not resent what they had to do. She knew full well the requirements of the situation. Though there was one thing she could not leave undone…

The Immortals were arranged in formation outside of the capital building a few hours later, awaiting General Conlan and The Chieftain. The minutes ticked by… The Chieftain arrived along with the few officials who would travel with him… but there was still no sign of the General.

The room was dark, save for a narrow stream of light from a small window high on the wall. General Conlan stood alone in the middle of the empty room. She could remember the first time she had entered this room. It was the time she had met the man who had become the closest friend she had ever had. The man she had to leave behind today, leaving him to almost certain death. She had never disobeyed an order, and she would not, could not, start now. Her eyes watered as she remembered all the good times they had spent together. All the times they had laughed together. She could not loose control, not now. She still had a mission, one that the lives of her team may depend on her retained control. She wanted to see him one more time. But, that would only make parting harder, and he needed all the time he could get to say farewell to his wife. She had heard that he was trying to make arrangements to have his wife accompany the group she would be escorting through the ring.

Linia drew herself up. Ronon she may never see again, but if he succeeded, then she would be near his wife. Perhaps if she could not protect her long-time friend, then at least she could protect his wife. Linia's eyes hardened with determination. She would protect her, with her very life if need be. The only gift she could give to a friend she could not protect.

Outside the capital building, people were getting restless.

"We can't wait any longer! We have to leave while we have the chance!" one man was saying, while Linia approached slowly from behind the group.

"We are still waiting for the General. We will leave soon," replied Colonel Barrow sternly, she could not see his expression, they were already in full armor, but she knew from experience that he was angry.

"We should just leave her behind if she doesn't care enough about her own life to show up sooner than this!" the same man replied, the others with him were nodding their agreement.

Every Immortal tensed at this denouncement of the one they followed and trusted, hands went to the weapons at their sides and they all took a fighting stance.

Linia did not say anything as she began to pass through the group. Her command relaxed when they saw her approaching. Mixed reaction began to ripple among the rest of the group. Many of them could not remember seeing the general in armour, but none had seen her in armour, yet lacking a helmet (which was held in her arms). She had a smooth, attractive face, not what would be normally expected for the face of the brave and fearless general of the immortals. But, her expression could make the bravest of men cringe in fear.

Linia calmly moved forward until she was between her command and the rest of the group.

"What is going on?" Linia quietly asked. Her voice was low, but it carried to the edges of the group.

"General Conlan," the same unsatisfied man said, "we were about to leave without you."

"And how far did you think you'd get?" Linia calmly asked, "You are out of time, they are almost here." As soon as the words were out of her mouth the military poured out of the building, rushing in all directions, "you are going to need all the protection you can get."

Without another word, Linia put on her helmet and marched in the direction of the Ring of the Ancestors. Half of the Immortals took flanking positions around the group, while the rest followed behind.

Colonels Barrow and Kan followed directly behind Linia and listened silently as she gave some last minute instructions.

"Barrow, lead your group through The Ring first when we get there. Our companions will go next, and Kan your group will go after them." She then looked around and thought, She's not here? Was he unable to get a place for her? Or did she not wish to come? She always was loyal and hard-headed, just like him. This isn't what I wanted. I cannot protect either my friend or his wife if I leave, if it wasn't for The Chieftain or my command, I'd stay. Why did I take that oath?

"General?" Colonel Kan quietly asked the silent woman walking beside her. "Where will you be? Shouldn't you enter The Ring first?"

Linia's face took on a hard look under her helmet, "I will enter when I am certain it is safe, and no one can, or will follow."

They reached the gate without incident. When they got close, Linia stopped and sent Barrow and his half up ahead. "Secure the other side, but above all else, watch after each other," these where her last orders to a subordinate that was as a brother to her. Colonel Kan on her other side gave her an odd expression as they waited for the leader's group to file through the circle.

"Go Kan, it's your turn." Linia ordered quietly.

"With all due respect Ma'am," Kan stated, "nothing normally fazes you, forgive me for being curious as to why things are different now. I know that we are losing everything, but you have always said that you would be fine as long as you did not lose us, your command. What is bothering you? Why are you not taking the lead?"

"I will follow later, that is all you need to know." Linia said flatly, "You will know the rest when I join you."

Kan stood a moment longer, reading a lot of hidden emotions in the straight, tense stance of the one she admired before she moved to lead her section through the ring. None of the Immortals looked back as they entered; they trusted their general to follow them.

Linia looked behind her; the last of her Immortals had gone into the ring. Yet, already the battle had started on her side. She could hear the whine of wrath darts flying in the distance. They could not enter through the ring, because it had already been activated. But, they were not waiting either. Linia ran to the ancestor's ring, she didn't have time left to think; she had to get through. Her instinct was to protect, and she only had her command left. Everyone else was dead or dying now.

A wrath energy blast hit the step next to her as she climbed the last step before the ring. She looked over her shoulder and saw the dart closing in on her position. The screen inside of her helmet told her its velocity and estimated time before it could read the destination address of the planet they were evacuating to. Linia only had a couple of seconds. She grabbed the gun off her back and let her armor's computer calculate the best angle. Although she would prefer aiming the shot herself, she knew she didn't have the time. The shot from her gun hit the dart head on, with .001 seconds to spare. But, now the flaming dart was coming toward the ring, and her. Linia dived into the ring of the ancestors just before the Wraith dart hit the platform she had been standing on the moment she had taken aim.

Linia looked around a field in shock. Bodies littered the area before her. Bodies of those she served and had served her. They had been slaughtered in the time it had taken to ensure they were not followed. As she numbly looked on the faces of those she knew, she noticed that something was not right. Many of those under her were not there, but also, those slain were not slain by wrath weapons. Linia knelt next to the body of her Chieftain. On the ground next to his lifeless body was a small hollow metal tube. As she picked up the empty shell casing she could feel rage begin to rush through her body.

"The Genii will pay for this," she said between teeth clinched in rage, "If it is the last act in my life before I join my friends in eternal sleep, I will send all the Genii who were responsible for this to the afterlife before me!"