Written for the Beyond Atlantis Virtual Season Six Short Stories. Visit Brothersinarmsfiction(dot)com/beyond atlantis/index(dot)html to find some amazing sga post season 5 fanfic and artwork!

spoilers: Episodes up to and including Season 3, "The Game"

word count: 9756

"Lessons Not Fully Learned – The Game, Part II"

Chapter One

John Sheppard sighed with relief when he saw Major Lorne and his team emerge from their jumper parked a short distance down the street. John was ready to get back to Atlantis. It had been a long boring day of watching their group of scientists, archeologists, and anthropologists mark off another site from their list in the long ago abandoned Atolian city of Penatra on planet MXX-205.

They had recently uncovered information about a possible location for some Atolian cloaking technology – technology that had vanished from known existence centuries beforehand. It was said that the technology only consumed a fraction of the power the current Atlantean cloaking system did. If true, they would be able to pass the technology along to other worlds for use as a defense against the Wraith.

It was a noble and just cause, one that might save millions of lives, and it was the reason why the Atlanteans were diverting so many resources to the project. There was only one problem – John wasn't feeling particularly noble at the moment. After eight hours of standing around watching others work, he was hungry, tired and ready to go.

Penatra did little to entice him to stay longer. Lifeless dark gray buildings blended together and stretched out as far as the eye could see, making this once vital metropolis a cemetery of empty structures. Penatra just felt so different from Atlantis. Both had been deserted, but there was a deadness here that seemed to permeate everything.

In contrast, the distant hum that had greeted John the very moment he'd first stepped through the Stargate on Atlantis on that fateful day sang of life and vitality. Its steady presence quietly serenaded in the background of his consciousness whenever he was home, conveying a sense of peace and safety.

Everything about Penatra echoed much darker times. Looking around him, in the heavy mist that hung over the area in a constant drizzle, this city seemed to exude depression. And from the stories he'd heard about the people who'd once lived here, there was probably a good dose of oppression wafting in the wind, too.

He glanced back as the other scientific personnel who had come to replace the current teams disembarked the jumper, including Doctor Zelenka. John strolled over to meet them. Major Lorne smiled at him as he came to a stop and said, "You look just about as excited to be here as I am."

Sheppard grunted. "It would be one thing if we were having some success, but so far, we've turned up nothing."

"The Atolian civilization has definitely piqued my interest," Radek said with a smile. "Too bad the society faded away to obscurity, because they had several interesting advancements."

"Yes, they did, but their history of being bloodthirsty aggressors who invaded several of their surrounding worlds without provocation tends to detract from their scientific accomplishments," McKay said as he approached them.

Zelenka nodded. "Yes, well, there is that. But they are significant in being the first civilization to rise up in the Ancients' absence and that was with the ever present threat of the Wraith."

McKay held up a pointed finger. "Yes, well, we have yet to find their alleged cloaking technology. This could all be a fool's errand, Radek."

Radek scratched the back of his neck before saying, "I'm afraid our dependence on the Ancients' database to give us much of the Pegasus galaxy's history has left us wanting this time, Rodney, because the Atolians came into existence after the Ancients. All we have is little more than folklore."

"No, there are more than just stories," John said. "There's the history of other worlds who interacted with the Atolians, like the Athosians and Satedans. The cloaking technology was here at one point and if it is still here, we will find it."

"I hope you're right," Rodney said, then turned to Zelenka. "Speaking of which, I've outlined a search grid that the teams have been following. Be sure to radio me if you find anything. This could potentially be very useful for us."

Radek nodded in reply, then appeared a little nervous. "Any sign of the booby-traps that were rumored to be left in their structures?"

Rodney shook his head. "No, that must have been something dreamt up to keep the scavengers away and it must have worked to a certain extent. I would have thought anything of use would have been removed long ago, but I've found some interesting power sources in a few of the surrounding buildings. They are on the top of my list to be searched once we have completed searching the most obvious locations."

"Yes, they must have some importance if they are off the main power grid and supplying their own power," Radek said. "Why do you think that would be?"

"It doesn't make a lot of sense." Rodney shrugged and pointed to a nearby building. "That structure there is apparently a huge indoor stadium. It's one of the few buildings in the area that has its own self-generating power source. Why give a stadium such high priority?"

Lorne said, "You know, not to burst anyone's bubble, but it's possible the cloaking equipment and its associated technology is long gone. It would explain why our sensors have failed to detect anything important. The prevailing scuttlebutt is somehow this cloaking technology failed and the Wraith culled this planet, and that's why it was basically abandoned."

John spoke up. "What I don't get is why it's still abandoned. This place isn't exactly Shangri-la, but it's not the pit of Hell, either."

Ronon and Teyla walked up just as John finished. Ronon grunted. "Some would disagree."

Teyla nodded with a serious glint in her eyes. "My people have a word they used for the Atolians. They were called the Shakher. It means to be devoid of a conscience. The Atolians left death and destruction in their wake wherever they went. It is said their evil spirit still protects this world and will kill any who come to live here."

Rodney made a face. "Oh, come on, Teyla, the Athosian people are smarter than that. Why would they believe something so arcane?"

Teyla's expression turned hard. "You believe only in what you know – in what the facts show you. My people also believe in what the human spirit senses – factors that are not quantifiable – and we are not alone in that belief, as seen by the lack of people repopulating this world, even unto this day."

John put up a hand. "Okay, let's all take a deep breath. Whatever we know about this place, it's worth devoting at least a few more days here."

Radek nodded. He looked at Rodney and said, "Come on, Rodney, let's see your search grid."

Still in discussion, the group meandered toward the building McKay currently had the teams focused on. John let them leave without him. He glanced at the building Rodney had pointed out. What kind of indoor stadium would require its own power supply and what kind of sports would they play there? He dallied with the idea of checking it out for himself. He turned when he heard a noise behind him. It was Teyla and Ronon.

"Are you guys ready to head back?" he asked.

Teyla hesitated. "Dr. Lumsdaine has asked Ronon and myself to stay a little longer since we are more familiar with the stories of the Atolians than anyone else present. Is that acceptable?"

John nodded. "Sure. I think McKay and I will head back soon, though. We can all meet up back on Atlantis tonight."

"Very well," Teyla said, then she left with Ronon, quickly joining Dr. Lumsdaine, who was waiting a short distance away.

As they left, McKay approached. He adjusted the straps of his backpack. "You ready to go?"

John found himself shaking his head. "No, not quite yet. I want to go for a peek inside that stadium before we leave."

McKay frowned at the stadium, obviously not thrilled at the thought of lingering any longer.

John said, "You can head on back. I'm just going in for a second."

Rodney shrugged, then pulled out his scanner. "No, that's okay. I'll go with you for a quick look around. There was that semi-interesting power reading I got when I did my initial scan of the area. Besides, someone needs to hang around to make sure you don't get yourself into trouble."

"And you're that person?"

When Rodney nodded, John snorted. "Whatever. At least, we're both in agreement to make it quick. Somebody said they were having meatloaf for dinner in the mess and I'm hungry," he said as he gestured with one hand. McKay fell into step behind him.

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Rodney switched on the interior lights of the stadium, then checked his scanner. By the time he looked up again, Sheppard was already starting down the stairs toward the lower levels of the stadium.

"Hey, where the hell are you going?"

"I would think that would be obvious."

"Yes, I can see where you are going, Colonel Smartass – let me elaborate for those more simpleminded than me, which is just about everyone else... Where the hell are you going when all you wanted to do was take a quick peek?"

John paused in place, a flippant comment obviously on the tip of his tongue, but Rodney knew he was in the right. This was definitely more than just peeking inside. Rodney thought of all the terrible things he'd heard about the Atolians and he realized he was more than a little nervous. Fidgeting with his scanner, he decided it would be much better to leave now before something went sideways for them.

John apparently didn't notice, mostly because his gaze was still on the lower levels. He turned half toward him and said defiantly, "This could still be considered peeking. Are you getting anything?"

"Anything like what?" Rodney asked, his voice full of irritation.

This time, John pivoted to view him fully. "I don't know. Anything that might be of interest. Geez, McKay, you'd think we were entering a haunted house by looking at you."

Rodney straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest. "I do not."

Before John could respond, Rodney went on, "Besides, this place would make anyone nervous."

Rodney fiddled with the instrument in his hand, then he sighed and looked at it more closely. He wasn't being much of a scientist to allow the preconceptions of others sway him so much. Pushing away his fears and clearing his throat, he said, "No, there's nothing on my scanner, except the unidentified power source."

He waved Sheppard on. "Let's just keep moving so we can leave. My stomach is growling and dinner sounds pretty good right now."

A few minutes later, they were standing on the same staircase, but several rows down, near the floor level of the arena. The seats in the stadium were dark red, like dried blood, and Rodney wondered if they'd always looked that way or it was a result of tarnishing over the hundreds of years that had passed.

"I wonder what kind of games they played here?" Rodney said finally as he turned slowly with his scanner.

Sheppard scratched the back of his neck. "Who knows? If you listen to the horror stories they tell of this world, it probably wasn't badminton or croquet."

"No, I don't think so."

Rodney stopped, then swung the scanner around to encompass the full scope of the arena. Sheppard must have noticed what Rodney was doing, because he came closer. "What is it? What did you find?"

Rodney took a deep breath. "Well, it looks like a good portion of the power I picked up outside this place is devoted to this arena area here, more specifically to those six computer consoles encircling the inner edges of the arena."

"Hmm," Sheppard said. "That's interesting. Anything else?"

"Oh, please, let me be your tour guide here, Bwana," Rodney said snidely. "Listen, this scanner will only do so much. It's not a freaking crystal ball, you know."

Sheppard ground his teeth for a long moment. "Fine. You keep scanning and I'll look around."

"I thought you said we weren't going to be here long."

"We aren't, so the faster you scan and I look around, the better. Got it?"

Rodney cursed under his breath, but didn't say anything more. Once they reached the floor level, they passed through a series of gates and enclosures to get into the arena itself. Rodney turned to the computer console closest to him and set his scanner atop it, then he proceeded to hook up his laptop to the console, hoping to get more information that way than by the scanner alone.

After a little while, Sheppard came back to stand beside him. "It's a little creepy how this place has all its locks on outside the arena, like they were locking someone inside instead of on the inside to keep the audience out of the restricted areas."

"There are lots of strange things here." Rodney nodded in agreement. "This computer's database seems to be only an instructional guide. There's not a lot of historical references or useful information stored here, except how to program for some game called Beksen."

"That's the game they played here?"

Rodney nodded. "So it would seem... Huh, that's interesting."

"What?" Sheppard asked, looking over Rodney's shoulder.

Rodney started gesturing with his hands. "Each player builds their own hologram avatars, and then they use the avatar to fight for them. The player controls the avatar's actions, so it's really the player that's fighting, but through the avatar, if that makes sense."

"You mean like a Wii game?"

"Kind of, but it's much more involved than that. Kind of a cross between a Wii game and Pokemon."

"Pokemon? What the hell do you know about Pokemon?"

Rodney started to launch into an explanation. "Oh, well, I used to know a kid who – wait, what does it matter? I was just trying to explain the concept to you in terms you would understand."

"Like I know all about Pokemon."

"It's a concept, remember?" Rodney sighed deeply, squeezing the bridge of his nose as he tried to rein in his irritation. Sheppard was right. Dinner was sounding better and better by the minute.

Sheppard must have tired of the subject, too, because he said, "Well, I guess that doesn't sound so bad. What kind of avatars can you make?"

"All kinds of combinations. The avatars themselves are totally cool. You have a choice of three different options for your avatar's abilities, ranging from defensive to offensive. There's a timer that starts the moment you open the options list. You only have about five minutes to design your avatar, so you have to think fast and make your choices count."

"How many people can play at the same time?"

"There's six consoles scattered around the arena. And you can also play against the system."

"Against the system? That sounds a little like a stacked deck."

"No, not really. They used a randomized program that makes the impartial choices for the computer-generated avatar."

Rodney pressed a button. A ghostly holographic example of a snake-like avatar rose up high above the next console over, then took more a definite form that seemed almost solid. The avatar had dark gray scales with reddish edging. Around its neck were dozens of deep purple twills. It had bright yellow eyes and huge fangs.

Rodney pointed up at it. "That was the computer-generated avatar used in the last competition."

"Sweet. It looks pretty impressive." John stepped closer. "What does it do?"

Rodney glanced down at the console. "Uh, it says this one can go invisible. Oh, and those porcupine-like twills behind its neck can fire lightning bolts of electricity at an opponent as a weapon."

"Wow, that is cool."

Rodney licked his lips and glanced at John. "It might be fun just to see what kind of avatars we could come up with," he said softly.

Sheppard's eyes widened and he shook his head. "Do I need to remind you of the debacle that was Geldar and Hallona? No, we are not meddling in the affairs of other civilizations this time. In fact, we aren't going to touch this game at all."

Even as Sheppard continued shaking his head, Rodney pressed forward. "Listen, this setup has no external communication array, so its scope is limited to within the confines of the stadium."

"That's what we thought before about 'the game'. No, Carter would throw us into the brig and leave us there to rot if she knew we were even thinking of playing."

"Only if she found out. And we won't be playing. We'll just be trying our hand at making an avatar. Honestly, it'll take five minutes, then we're out of here."

Sheppard put up his hands. "What part of no don't you understand? Remember where we are... Given the stories we've heard of this world, this could end very badly."

Rodney stood back from the console, then pinned John in place with a stare. "Okay, okay, whatever. We don't have to try it if you're chicken."

Sheppard's gaze narrowed. "Chicken? What, are you twelve? Seriously, you're daring me?"

"Consider it a dare if you wish. I don't want to actually play the game, I just want to see who can make the best badass avatar – which, of course, would be me."

"And what if something goes wrong?"

Rodney pointed to himself. "Resident genius here. I'll get us out of any trouble that might arise."

"Famous last words," Sheppard mumbled.

Rubbing a hand over his face, Sheppard sighed, then hesitated as he looked wistfully at the avatar looming above them. "They are pretty cool, though."

"Come on, John. How often do we get an opportunity to try out something like this?"

John shook his head, but it was only half-hearted. Finally, he muttered, "I guess there's no harm in just creating an avatar."

Rodney pointed to a computer at the other end of the arena. "Okay, there's your computer. I've got the avatar designing program keyed up for both computers. It's just a matter of picking the options as they present themselves. May the best avatar designer win."

"Yeah, well, that would be me."

Rodney grunted. "Yeah, right," he said as he went to work.

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