Disclaimer – I don't own anything, this is just for fun, no money involved, please don't sue me.
A/N –There are eight chapters, I'll be posting two every evening so all chapters will be posted by Friday. This is my first SGA fic, please review, all criticism is welcome.
Chapter One – Surprise Visitor
Lieutenant Colonel Shepard and Dr. Weir were on their way from one of the labs to the control tower when Colonel Shepherd suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor.
"Is something wrong?" Dr. Weir asked.
"No, I just remembered something I'm supposed to bring to Dr. Beckett, it's in my quarters. Do you mind if we make a pit stop?" Colonel Shepherd asked.
"Not at all, we've got plenty of time before the briefing from Sergeant Bates," Dr. Weir answered then followed him down a side corridor to his quarters.
The doors to his private quarters slid open silently to reveal quite a surprise. Standing between the door and the bed was a woman about thirty years old clad only in the sheet obviously pulled from the officer's bed. She was tall, almost six feet, with dark raven hair and ice blue eyes that were wide in surprise. All three of them recovered from the shock and spoke simultaneously.
"Who are you?" Colonel Shepherd asked.
"What's going on here Colonel?" Dr. Weir asked.
"This really isn't what it looks like." The woman said, her hands clutching the fabric around her.
"Security to Colonel Shepard's quarters," Dr. Weir ordered.
"There's no need for that," the woman said.
"One more time, who are you?" Colonel Shepherd asked, "And what are you doing in my quarters?"
"Well, it was either recorporealize naked here or in the gate room," the woman answered with one hand on her hip, "Which would you have preferred?"
"You made the right choice," Colonel Shepherd muttered.
"And my name is Alora Valeran, I've come to help you," the woman said.
"You're an Ascended," Dr. Weir said softly as the realization dawned on her.
"Not as of five minutes ago," Alora said with a smile. "I guess you'd call me an Ancient. It's very good to see you again Dr. Weir."
Colonel Shepherd and Dr. Weir shared a look of confusion before looking back at the strange woman.
"Oh, that's right, it was the other you I met before, I think," Alora said with a confused look of her own, "This still gives me a headache. By the way, it might be a good idea to call off the security force until we have a chance to talk. They're sure to have a few embarrassing questions."
Dr. Weir considered this for a moment then ordered the security team to stand down.
"You will need to see Dr. Beckett though," Dr. Weir said sternly.
"But maybe we should get her some clothes first," Colonel Shepherd offered.
"Yes, please," Alora said with a hopeful look.
"Colonel, why don't you stay here with Alora while I get her something to wear," Dr. Weir said.
"Sure, but why don't we step inside away from prying eyes," Colonel Shepherd said as he stepped inside the doors.
"I'll be back soon," Dr. Weir said as the doors slid shut.
Dr. Weir made her way down the hall towards the transporter to take her to the supply rooms. While Alora was about her height, she had a more athletic build and would need something a little bigger.
"I don't understand why you couldn't make yourself clothes, Chaya can," Colonel Shepherd said.
"Chaya is still an ascended being. She is made of energy and can mold that energy into her former shape with clothing. I am fully corporeal, can't create anything that wasn't part of me to begin with." Alora explained.
"So, why my quarters?" Colonel Shepherd asked, trying to be nonchalant.
"These used to be my quarters," Alora said with a smile as she looked around the room, "But I like what you've done with the place. I like Johnny Cash too."
"How do you know about Johnny Cash?" Colonel Shepherd asked surprised.
"When you've been around as long as I have you learn a lot," Alora said.
"Exactly how long have you been around?" Colonel Shepherd asked.
"If you include the time I was ascended, 10, 849 years. If you don't 262." Alora answered. "But I hadn't been back to the city until recently."
"Wow," Colonel Shepherd said. "When was the last time you were here?"
"When I stepped through the gate to Earth when we evacuated," she answered with a sadness in her voice.
"How old were you?" Colonel Shepherd asked quietly.
"Twenty-three," she answered just before the doors slid open to reveal Dr. Weir with a pair of military boots atop a set of neatly folded standard issue Atlantis Expedition uniform.
"Here you are," Dr. Weir said as she stepped in and placed the items on the unmade bed.
"Thank you," Alora said with relief.
Colonel Shepherd followed Dr. Weir out of the room and briefed her on what he learned while they waited for Alora to dress. She emerged just a few minutes later in a surprisingly well fitting uniform.
"I appreciate it, you even got the boots the right size," Alora said with a smile, "How 'bout we all have a chat?"
Colonel Shepherd and Dr. Weir escorted Alora to the Control Tower and got several curious glances along the way. Once they entered the large conference room, Alora requested that Teyla, Sgt. Bates, Lt. Ford, Dr. McKay, and Dr. Beckett join them. It only took a few minutes for them to join Colonel Shepherd, Dr. Weir and Alora in the conference room, all with curiosity written on their faces.
"My name is Alora Valeran, I am what you would call an Ancient, and until just a little while ago I was also an ascended being." Alora began.
"You are one of the Ancestors," Teyla said with reverence.
"While I am of the race that seeded human life here, none of my descendants are of this galaxy," Alora said.
"Why are you here?" Sgt. Bates.
"To help you."
"Why?" Dr. Weir asked.
"Because I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines, I'm tired of watching while those we created are destroyed through the consequences of our own mistakes. I'm tired of having the power and knowledge to help and not being able to use it." Heather said with conviction, "We abandoned those we created, first to the Wraith then to the Goa'uld, and it is our responsibility to protect humanity from evil. In that we have failed."
"But why become corporeal again? Couldn't you help more by still being an ascendant?" Dr. McKay asked.
"As an ascendant I was subject to their rules, by rejoining this plane they cannot punish me for breaking them. I took the opportunity when they were otherwise occupied to voluntarily become corporeal so that my knowledge would remain intact." Alora answered. "And I still have a few tricks up my sleeves."
"Like what?" Colonel Shepherd asked.
"Like telepathy," they all heard in their minds.
"And the ability to heal," Alora answered out loud. "But what will be most helpful will be my knowledge. Like teaching you the process for creating what you call a Zero Point Module."
"We can create one?" Rodney asked incredulously.
"Yes," Alora said.
"And you'll share this information freely?" Dr. Weir asked.
"Yes, and other things to help you battle the Wraith," Alora said solemnly, "But I will not share everything I know and I will not necessarily answer all your questions. There are certain things you are not ready for."
"Like what?" Colonel Shepherd asked.
Alora smiled and answered, "Do you really think that's one I will answer?"
"We understand, is there anything else?" Dr. Weir asked.
"Just one, I don't want you to discuss my presence with Earth," Alora said seriously, "They will want to talk to me, especially Dr. Jackson, and they won't be happy when I refuse."
"How are we supposed to explain the sudden jump in our understanding of Ancient technology?" Rodney asked.
"Just tell them that the information came from the city's database and you just found it," Alora said.
"Also, Teyla, I would appreciate it if you did not inform your people of my status. I do not wish to be worshiped as some sort of savior or deity."
"I understand," Teyla acknowledged with a nod of her head.
"We'll need to tell the rest of the staff that she's somebody who's supposed to be here," Colonel Shepherd said.
After a moment of thought, Dr. Weir said, "We'll make her a physicist, Dr. Laura Valencia, recently arrived from Earth with the most recent visit from the Daedelus."
"But they left two days ago," Sgt. Bates said.
"She's been in isolation since she arrived with an unknown illness that was recently identified as harmless and cured," Dr. Beckett offered.
"Sounds good to me," Dr. Weir said, "Colonel Shepherd I leave it to you to settle her in quarters and with some personal effects she might need. Rodney, once she's settled, I want you to get going on producing a ZPM. All information is to be coordinated through the people in this room and only the people in this room. Is that clear?"
There was a round of "yes ma'am"s before Dr. Weir dismissed them. Colonel Shepherd followed Dr. Beckett as he took Alora to the infirmary for routine tests then escorted her to quarters down the hall from his own.
"Well, if there's anything you need, just let me know," Colonel Shepherd offered as he heard a very audible grumble from Alora's stomach.
Alora looked embarrassed and placed her hand over her stomach and said, "Apparently I could use a good meal."
Colonel Shepherd smiled and said, "C'mon, I don't know about good, but we can provide you with a meal."
Even with the time of day, there was still a small crowd in the commissary. Colonel Shepherd led Alora through the service area, grabbing a sandwich for himself and led her over to an empty table. Slightly tentative at first, Alora soon dug into her meal with gusto.
"I've never seen anyone enjoy commissary food so much," Colonel Shepherd remarked.
"I forgot what food tasted like," Alora said and seeing the look on Colonel Shepherd's face added, "I haven't been hungry in 10,000 years, give a girl a break."
Later that evening when Colonel Shepherd returned to his quarters he detected a subtle difference in the room, a scent. Knowing that it must have been Alora's presence that caused the change, he tried to define it. It was a little sweet but with a nutty musk part to it also. He was surprised to find himself smiling as a long forgotten memory of his early childhood surfaced. He knew this scent from somewhere, he just didn't know where.