Stargate Atlantis:
The Great Tau'ri War
Vengeance
The Great Tau'ri War, a conflict that tore apart the Milky Way Galaxy had ended almost 30 years earlier, like a Phoenix from the flames the Tau'ri of Earth arose to a great power within the Galaxy. After re-establishing contact with the Pegasus Galaxy and Contact with another, the sphere of influence had spread to become perhaps the first true Trans-Galactic Empire ever created with the Ancient City of Atlantis at the centre of the vast empire with in 'The Three Galaxies'
In 2045...
Once the base of operations for the war against the Wraith and the deadly Lucian Alliance, a tired aging General stood in the centre of the Command Centre of the city awaiting the arrival of the President of the Tau'ri, a pivotal cog in the ever-expanding Empire that spanned many races. Once a proud warrior, now more of a figurehead assigned to command the Capital of the Tau'ri Alliance.
"Off world activation… receiving IDC. It's the President"
Standing tall the old warrior straightened his tunic as he awaited the President's party too arrive from their good will tour of the Pegasus Galaxy, since the Wraith had become extinct, the Tau'ri had picked up the pieces within the Dwarf Galaxy and made it a second and vital piece of the growing empire. Finally, after waiting the President's personnel guard began too appear through the Stargate as the old General smiled and stepped forward.
"Mister President, welcome home"
"Thank you General"
"How was the tour?"
Smiling slightly the President placed his hand on the shoulder of his old friend as he shook his hand.
"Awful…" The President laughed.
"Then next time, perhaps I should show you a little place I… Forget it"
"Of course, so how are things? Miss me much?"
Laughing slightly the balding old General placed his arm around the shoulder of his old friend s he led him up the steps towards the command centre, slowly the President's eyes fell upon a single console as the General nodded slightly.
"Miss it, don't you?"
"A little… but that is the past. So what's happened here? Anything amazing?"
"No, the Jaffa have built another ship, that's it really"
"Great!" The President mocked.
"Well at least you are back in time for the memorial service"
Closing his eyes, he cursed himself slightly as he muttered.
"I thought that was last week"
"Nope, tomorrow… You're speech is already penned for you. Ohh, by the way… some one is waiting for you in your office"
"Who?" He sighed.
"I promised it would be a surprise"
Mustering up the energy to nod, the President turned and left the control room. As he reached the exit, he turned and looked at his old friend.
"Thanks Ronan, dinner later, Karen and the kids have been asking about you?"
"Of course… Mister President" He smiled.
Finally the President reached his office, it had always been difficult since he been confined to walking with a cane but it was something he had gotten used to over the years, slowly shuffling into the office he sat down in his chair as a voice called out from the darkness.
"Well, you're the last person I expected to see in THAT chair"
A large smile crept over his face as a figure stepped into the light; almost laughing slightly he tried to stand as a hand motioned for him to stay seated.
"How the hell did you get here? I thought you where on Chulak"
"Well, you know me… I can't stay away from this place"
Laughing the President motioned for the figure to sit down as he reached into his desk and poured out two drinks of whiskey.
"Mister President, you know that is illegal now"
"I make the rules around here… besides… Karen is off world. You know what they say… what she doesn't know…"
"You've done well for yourself. The first President to take three terms in office"
"I know…" He said with a smirk.
Accepting the drink the guest of the President sat in a chair facing him as the President took a sip from his glass.
"Well, I see the years haven't been kind to Ronan"
Laughing slightly the President placed his drink on his desk and leaned forward as he spoke.
"It's good to see you again John, you look good"
"Thanks Rodney… or should I say Mister President?" He laughed.
"You know what? Screw the titles… I haven't seen you in years. Here for the memorial?"
"Memorial?" He sighed.
"Yeah… thirty years since the end of the war. Thirty years since… yeah! How are you doing John?"
"You know me McKay…" He mumbled.
"Yes, I do. That is why I asked… a lot of us have been talking about the past John…"
Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, the former General leaned forwards as he spoke.
"About what McKay?"
"You, we've been worried about you John. It's been thirty years since…"
"Since Cole disappeared… yes I know. I'm over that"
"Yes I know, three failed marriages. Discharged from service… should I go on?"
"No…" He mumbled.
Slowly the former General leaned forwards and took a sip of his drink, as he seemed to gaze off into the distance.
"John, I heard about the diagnosis… how long?"
"I thought you might, two years tops…"
"That was two years ago" McKay said with concern.
"Surprise!" Sheppard mocked. "You know… I was thinking a few days ago about…" Laughing slightly "… You know"
"Ohh that. You know I still have the Airplane"
"Really?" He smiled.
"Yeah, it's in a hanger on the main land" Rodney Said with a smile.
"I can't believe what it really took to get Cole to return, I always thought she would have jumped at the chance to get even"
In 2015...
The winter wind blew threw everything as it ripped around the barren land, no crops could survive at this time of year, yet it was the perfect time for working on the side project that had taken up most of her time. Music blared out in the old converted barn as worked oblivious of the noise from outside.
Slowly and carefully, the new design of Tau'ri built Jumper based on the Hybrid touched down on the soil as facing the old farm as a man exited the nearest building holding a large double barrel shotgun.
"GET THAT DAMNED THING OFF MY LAWN!" He yelled as he approached.
Slowly Ronan placed his hand on the weapon at his side as he exited the craft, concentrating on the moment he raised his left hand as he approached the elderly man side on hiding his right hand that was unbuckling the clip that held his particle weapon in place.
"Easy sir, take it easy. Put down the shotgun"
Cautiously General Sheppard exited the craft as the metal cane clicked on the ramp while he pulled his jacket around himself and stepped onto the soil, smiling slightly he stepped between Ronan and the old man as spoke over the howling winds.
"I'm Major General Sheppard. Please lower your weapon sir…"
"Sheppard? John Sheppard, from Atlantis?" He yelled.
"Yes sir… This is Colonel Ronan Dex and the guy behind me is Lieutenant Colonel Rodney McKay. Sir it's freezing out here, can we step inside?"
Lowering his weapon to the ground he waved them on as he stepped into the old barn house, smiling slightly Sheppard and his old friends followed the old man into the house as a car arrived at the door. After receiving a package from the courier, the old man stepped into the house and closed the door behind him as snow began to fall.
"Well, to what do I owe the pleasure General?"
Slowly the old man placed the large package on a table before him as he lead the Atlantis personnel into a large room off to the left of the main living area. Sheppard stopped for a moment as he looked around in awe at what he saw.
"Since the beginning of military aviation, my family have been military pilot's sir. Every generation of my family are represented on these walls by their awards and medals"
"Impressive sir…" Sheppard said with respect.
"I've heard a lot about you General. My daughter speaks very highly of you all"
"Is she here?" Ronan asked politely.
"That depends on what you want, her resignation was sent to the President a few weeks ago. If you have her discharge papers then yes. But I doubt they would send you sir"
Slowly McKay walked the length of the room as he looked at each medal and commendation in sequence until he stopped at the last, his jaw dropped as he took in the impressive collection before him.
"Ohh my god. Congressional Medal of Honour, Distinguished Flying Cross, Two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star… to name but a few. You must be very proud sir"
"Those are not mine" He laughed. "I was an Airforce Captain… I take it you missed the Navy Cross?"
"These are you daughters?"
Slowly Sheppard walked towards the display as his jaw dropped by what he saw, a collection of some of the United States Military's highest medals and commendations hung on the wall before him, quickly his head whipped around as he looked in shock at the old man.
"I've seen your daughter in her dress uniform sir; she does not wear these ribbons"
"Jenny believes that a person's career is not defined by awards… but by one's actions. She sends them home for display on this wall as a private memorial"
"Wow, I had no idea"
Laughing slightly the old man turned and exited the room as they stood gazing at the large collection before them, finally he returned with the large box and handed it too Ronan with a slight salute as he spoke.
"Well gentlemen, if you wish to speak with my daughter, you should bring this with you. She's in the old barn outback"
"Thank you sir" McKay smiled.
"Well, which way sir?" Sheppard replied with a salute.
Smiling he led them out of the large room, threw the kitchen and out of the house. Pulling his jacket around himself, he pointed to the old barn as the three left the main house and finally pulled open the door to the large barn. As they stepped inside Sheppard's jaw once again dropped as he came face to face with an old legendary world war two aircraft. Smiling slightly he ran his left hand over the tail of the aircraft as the music blared out in through the old barn, quickly McKay found an old radio and switched it off as the sound of a metal wrench falling caught their attention.
"Dad, what the hell are you doing?" A voice yelled out.
Slowly from the front of the aircraft a dirty oil covered figure appeared ducked out from under the large metal propeller and walked towards the radio and once again switched it back on with, sighing she looked up at Sheppard and Ronan and shook her head as she walked back to the front of the aircraft.
"COLE… WE NEED TO TALK" Sheppard yelled.
"NOT INTERESTED SHEPPARD"
Once again, McKay turned off the music as Cole walked towards him and laughed slightly.
"You screwed me over; I've already sent my resignation. I'm not returning to Atlantis John"
Smiling she looked at the package Ronan was holding and took it from him as she laughed.
"You're not the unusual Courier, but at least you can hold this without showing strain. Thank you Ronan"
"No one screwed you over Cole…" Sheppard yelled.
"Ohh Bull Shit! You had me committed Sheppard. Do you have any idea how long I spent in that hospital?" She barked as she stepped face to face with him.
"It was only two weeks Cole… I checked"
"Was that it?" She laughed. "It felt like a life time listening to those people howl at the moon"
Smiling slightly, she turned and walked back towards the front of the aircraft as they followed her, McKay ran his left hand down the fuselage of the cold metallic aircraft softly as he spoke.
"Supermarine Spitfire… a Mark V?"
"Mark Vb actually" She laughed.
"She's a beauty"
"She hasn't flown for forty years…" Lovingly she looked up at the aircraft. "… But that won't be long, right baby?"
"Cole… we found something"
"A conscience maybe? Congratulations Sheppard"
"Funny" He replied. "Someone had placed something outside your quarters, just below the window, McKay?"
"Cole… the device was designed to access your subconscious mind… we believe it was designed to send those images into your mind…"
"Sounds a little Star Trek-ish to me. Look, why are you here… now?"
"We've found the Clone…" Ronan replied.
"I'm happy for you"
"After the attack on Earth and loosing half his fleet for nothing, the Lucian Alliance turned its back on him. However, he still controls a large fleet, he's currently attempting to take on the Lucian Alliance… but his position is weak. We believe that a full assault on his command centre will…"
"Will what? Ohh I get it, you want me to lead that attack? Piss Off!"
Carefully she opened the package and smiled slightly as she looked inside, the last vital component of the powerful of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine lay before her, smiling she reached into the box and pulled out the final piece as McKay looked on with a smile.
"Reproduction?" He asked.
"What,? Are you crazy? Every piece of this aircraft is original right down to the rubber in the tires. I've been working on this baby since I was a kid. My grandfather taught me and brother how to fly in an old bi-plane when we where kids… I got my pilot's licence before I could drive. This beauty was his dream…"
"That's great Cole, okay… don't do it for me… or the thousands that died last year… do it for yourself. Come with us"
Laughing she looked up at the roof as she replied.
"Give me one good reason why?"
"Revenge?" Ronan said with a dark smile.
A slight spark appeared in her eye as she turned to look at Ronan, the thought of revenge against the one who had destroyed her life was a good reason; however, the fact that everyone she had trusted over the past years had turned their backs on her had cut her deep. Breathing deeply she removed the rag tied around her hair as she stepped closer to the three officers.
"Revenge is always a good reason Ronan; you know that better then anyone. But I can't…" Smiling slightly she stepped in front of Sheppard. "As you can see, I have a lot of work to do here. I'm sorry sir…"
Nodding slightly Sheppard looked at his two companions; slowly he turned to leave as Cole took his arm and looked up into his eyes.
"It's good to see you again John, you look good. How's the leg?"
"Hurts in the cold" He smiled.
"Well, it's snowing outside. You'd better get warm. Ronan, take care of him"
Smiling slightly she ran her hand down his arm and winked slightly she turned back to the large aircraft before her, as she walked away she stopped slightly as McKay stepped too her side.
"What?"
"If you need any help with this, call me. I'd love to get my hands on this engine"
"I bet you would…" She laughed. "… Well, so long Major"
"Actually, Lieutenant Colonel now"
Slowly she leaned towards him and kissed his cheek as she whispered.
"Happy for you…"
Blushing slightly, McKay stepped back as he coughed and flashed a ring on his left hand.
"Engaged? Congratulations… Who is it?"
"Karen Wilson, she's the new Chief Medic"
"New? What happened to Beckett?"
"He took a job working as the President's personal physician. You look good Cole, although I did prefer you as a red-head"
Laughing slightly she ran her oil covered fingers threw her dirty hair as she blushed slightly and replied.
"Original colour, I thought I'd give the blonde Jennifer Cole another try. Take care of each other guys; it's good to see you again"
Saluting the three once more she returned to her work as McKay rejoined Sheppard and Ronan as they left.
Once back inside the jumper McKay sat in the pilot's seat as Ronan sat behind while Sheppard sat in the co-pilot's seat next to him with a dark smile on his face.
"She won't return" Ronan said.
"Ohh… she will"
"Care to bet?" McKay said to Sheppard.
"Alright, if she isn't back within say… one week, you guys take a month off anyplace you want"
"Deal" They both said in unison.
Smiling too himself Sheppard sat back in his seat as the jumper lifted off and disappeared into the snow covered sky.
Sighing too herself Cole threw down the large wrench she was holding and looked up at the ceiling as footsteps walked towards her.
"What is it dad?"
"I take it from the look in your eyes that you are staying?"
"I have work to do dad" She mumbled.
"Yes, you do… I remember you telling me about Sheppard; it was something more then talking about a superior officer…"
"Say it" She barked.
"You have feelings for him, don't you?"
All she could do was laugh to hide her tears as she turned towards her father and spoke through her deep feelings.
"Once yes maybe…"
"You might be able to lie to them young lady, but not to me. They came all this way just to ask you to go back with them. What is it you really want Jennifer?"
"I-I don't know"
"I see listen, the reason I'm here… I just got a call from the hospital, it's time"
Her legs buckled as she wept freely, slowly he knelt down next too her as his knees cracked and creaked she wrapped her arms around him for comfort almost as she had done as a child.
"We should go, your Grandfather has been asking for you"
"Let me clean up first"
"Of course, he asked one thing of you first"
Laughing past her tears she looked up and nodded, she knew exactly what he meant; her grandfather had always been impressed by his granddaughter in her military dress uniform and wearing her full collection of medals.
"Of course dad… give me an hour"
"Take what time you need Jennifer"