What If - The Shrine of Talus

Chapter 3

Rodney could see nothing but the white light. In the distance he heard a choir of angels singing. "Where are we?"

"This is your idea of what heaven would be like."

"Oh? If I'm in control then it can be anything I want, right?" He closed his eyes. The air around the two of them shifted and changed to an idyllic tropical island with warm sand and swaying palm trees. The music had been replaced by the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. He glanced around with great satisfaction. "So, what's this all about?"

"I've come to make you an offer."

"And if I refuse?" Rodney was skeptical of all things spiritual, not completely certain he believed in an all-powerful being. He watched the white robes she wore shimmer and change to conservative white shorts, a tank top, beach hat and sunglasses, his eyes widening at her transformation.

"Your soul will be sent to its just reward." Her smile never dimmed. "If you accept, you will ascend."

He looked puzzled. "But what about meditation, releasing your burden, all that crap? I haven't done any of that. Well, not recently." The scene changed again and Rodney was sitting on a blanket with Oma beside him.

"You're closer than you realize, Rodney."

"Really? Oh, I get it. That parasite did this to me."

"While it was slowly stealing your memories and your life, it also took away your arrogance and self-glorification, replacing it with a tranquility and peace you'd not known since you were a small child."

Rodney concentrated and a drink garnished with pineapple and cherries and a little umbrella appeared in his hand. He took a sip while he considered what Oma was proposing. Ascension equaled phenomenal cosmic powers!

He thought about all the things he could do with the powers of an Ascended being. By the time he'd gotten to the justified punishment he'd heap upon the Wraith in general and Michael in particular, Oma was shaking her head.

"You can observe, even advise, but you cannot interfere in the affairs of mortals."

"Wonderful. A prime directive for Ascendees, or whatever we're supposed to call ourselves." His sarcasm lashed out as he watched all his tentative plans dissolve like sugar in hot coffee. "That really sucks."

"Yes, it does."

With a resigned huff, Rodney finished his drink and thought the glass out of existence. He stood and reached down to help Oma to her feet then brushed the sand from his hands. "What do I do?"

"Nothing." For a response, Oma's body began to glow. It swelled until both she and Rodney were swallowed up. The light faded until it was gone and so were they.

Teyla sat in the Mess Hall watching Ronon bounce Torren on his knee. Much to her surprise, the big, gruff man was very good with him and the boy seemed to adore him in return. Torren reached up to tug on one of the dreadlocks and Ronon distracted him by offering a slice of apple.

"I have been thinking of how best to honor Rodney's memory."

"Oh?"

The Athosian nodded. "I have talked it over with Kanaan and he is agreeable. Torren's name will now be Torren John Rodney Emmagan."

Ronon nodded approval. "Good idea."

Her hand reached out to ruffle her son's hair. "And when he is old enough to understand, I will tell him all about one of the most courageous men I have ever known."

The funeral was over, had been for several days. All that remained was for Jeannie to return to the planet of her birth with the urn that contained the earthly remains of her brother. She hadn't sent a message to Kaleb and Madison yet. News of that nature was better delivered in person. She also dreaded the fact that she'd have to do it all again for the benefit of his friends and colleagues on Earth.

Per Rodney's instructions, his personal effects had been given to his friends though she did keep a few for herself and her family as well as all of his diplomas and awards. Someday the world would know about all the amazing and wonderful things he'd seen and done and she wanted to be ready. She was just sorry that his rise to fame would be posthumous, but then many great minds were ignored as unimportant until they were gone.

Nestling the handmade Athosian urn in the bottom of her bag, she stuffed her clothing in on top of it to keep it safe. It was a stalling tactic. There was one more thing she had to do before she left. To tell the truth, she really should have done this before. She just couldn't make herself do it until now.

That's how Jeannie found herself outside an office down the hall from Mr. Woolsey's. She took the opportunity to watch John through the window, her forehead creasing in puzzlement. He was in civilian clothes, his face intent on the monitor in front of him.

She watched him pause, a look of determination coming over his handsome features. He pushed away from the desk and reached for a small storage box. Removing the top, he began pulling items off the credenza behind him and placing them inside.

John sat in front of his workstation tapping vigorously at the keys. He wasn't in uniform because he'd finally had enough. Rodney's death was the final straw. John was quitting the Air Force, the expedition, everything. It had kept him from the most important people in his life, his family, for too long. Yes, the people of Atlantis were a surrogate family, but he needed to be with David, his wife and their kids. The rift between them had begun to heal after the death of his father but it couldn't continue with him living and working at a top secret base in another galaxy.

He had no idea what he would do going forward, but that didn't matter as long as he was as far from Atlantis as he could get.

John finished his resignation and reread it one last time, his finger hovering over the send key. Before he could change his mind he hit the button. It was a done deal. No going back. Soon, he'd be a civilian again.

TBC