A/N: Thank you all for the reviews and interest in this story, and I hope you continue to please. I am updating a few other stories as well, and will get them posted asap. Later in this chapter, just realize I am NOT a physicist and so if temperatures seem to be a bit off...sorry. Just kinda roll with it. And now, on with the show...
Buffy walked into her quarters and dropped her bag onto the floor and started to unpack. She slipped her sword into the weapons bag she brought with her and winced slightly. It had been a long while since she had done anything slayer like and her muscles were protesting the fact that she went on a hunt cold.
The door opened and Dawn entered, frowning. "Why did I come all the way out here?" she pouted.
"Cause you wouldn't let me come unless I brought you." Buffy replied.
"I came to learn. Get a much better education than I would ever have gotten at any school on Earth, personally tutored by the smartest people we have, right?" Dawn said, flopping down on her bed.
"Sure." Buffy said, stretching her arms above her head and trying to alleviate some of the tension.
"Dr. Beckett has me looking at slides." Dawn said. "Slides. Of cells. Red blood cells."
Buffy shrugged. "So. He's your biology teacher."
"There is a Wraith arm he is studying and he has me labeling the parts of a red blood cell." Dawn said.
"He also has a PhD in biology, an MD, and is one of the smartest microbiologists on Earth." Buffy returned. "He is a bit more qualified to study it than you are."
"It still sucks." Dawn whined, rolling over and grabbing her physics book. "I'm off to Dr. McKay. Maybe while I'm studying physics in an ancient, yet vastly superior, alien city in another galaxy, he'll make me drop something so I can see a practical demonstration of gravity." The teen said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Have fun." Buffy said as Dawn left the room. "Brat." She muttered, a grin on her face. She started to pull her laptop out of its case when the door chimes sounded. Rising, Buffy opened the door to see Dr. Weir standing there.
"May I come in?" Dr. Weir asked.
Buffy just stepped aside, and shrugged silently when Dr. Weir stepped through the door. "Sorry. Old habits and all." She said.
"No problem." Dr. Weir said. "Dr. Summers, I have a job for you."
Buffy smiled. "Cool. What is it?"
"I want you to start deciphering the Ancient database." Dr. Weir said.
Buffy stared blankly at Dr. Weir before coughing lightly. "Um…excuse me?" she asked. "I thought I was going offworld with Major Sheppard's team?"
"That was the original plan, yes." Dr. Weir said. "But I have changed it."
"Why exactly?" Buffy asked. Deep down, she was getting very angry but decided to at least offer a chance to explain.
"Three reasons. Number one, you have a better understanding of Ancient than anyone else on the base, Dr. McKay and myself included. Second, you have the ancient gene, which happens to allow the technology react to you far better than anyone else here other than Major Sheppard." Dr. Weir paused and took a deep breath, composing herself before she went on. This part was the hardest. "And third, I have decided to put Teyla on Major Sheppard's team."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Why exactly?" she asked again.
"Teyla has a working knowledge of several of the planets in the gate system. Her people have traded with more than a few and she has a better understanding of the cultures we are likely to run into." Dr. Weir answered.
Buffy furrowed her brow. She did indeed want to go through the gate on missions, but Dr. Weir was right. She did read and understand Atlantian better than anyone, and she did notice that of the few that came with the expedition, she and Major Sheppard seemed to be able to more easily activate and control the technology. Nodding, Buffy stood up. "I'll start first thing in the morning."
Dr. Weir raised an eyebrow. "That's it?" she asked, ready for the other shoe to drop. "I expected a little more than that in the way of an argument."
Buffy shrugged. "Five years ago I would have put up a hell of a fight, pouting included, but I guess I have matured…dammit." She grinned. "Besides, would it have made a difference?"
Dr. Weir shook her head. "Not really."
Buffy smiled. "Than why bother fighting. The team reports anything interesting then I can check it out. Until then, I can be of more use translating the database."
Dr. Weir smiled and stood up. "I'll assign a team to you and give you some room to work. Thank you very much, Dr. Summers."
Buffy opened the door and shrugged. "No big. See you tomorrow."
Dr. Weir left and went back to the control room, leaving Buffy to try to rest. Tomorrow, the young doctor would have a staff of twelve working on beginning to unravel the secrets of the city.
A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A
Buffy dropped to the floor and avoided Dawn's foot as it sailed over her head and lashed out with her own kick.
Dawn jumped and spun the staff over her head and snapped it down.
Buffy jumped up and blocked Dawns staff with her own. The two sisters then circled each other.
"So. How are your classes coming?" Buffy asked, snapping her staff forward, probing Dawn's defenses.
"Ok I guess. Dr. Beckett is happy, he says I should consider being a doctor." Dawn said, trying to keep an eye on what Buffy was planning.
"And Dr. McKay?" Buffy spun, knocking Dawn's staff aside and snapping her foot out catching the teen in the chest, sending her back against the wall.
Dawn quickly stood and narrowed her gaze. "He's an ass." She growled, launching into a full out offensive. She moved faster and faster until they were a blur, neither gaining an advantage. Dawn then tossed her staff at Buffy, who was shocked by the maneuver. It was all Dawn needed. Dropping to one knee and sweeping her foot, Dawn caught Buffy off balance and tripped the blonde slayer.
Jumping up, Dawn snatched Buffy's staff out of her flailing hands and pressed the tip against Buffy's chest, right over her heart.
Buffy smiled. "You've been practicing."
Dawn nodded, helping Buffy to her feet. "I work with Major Sheppard every morning and then after that I usually get some time in with Teyla."
Buffy nodded. "I've seen her work out. She is very good. I was thinking about asking her to spar."
Dawn nodded eagerly as they gathered their things and headed out of the workout area. "That would be so cool. She's been worried that you're mad at her for bumping you on the team."
Buffy shook her head. "Nah. That was what…two months ago?" she shrugged. "We've uncovered a ton of stuff in the database since then. Mostly history and philosophy, but it's all very interesting."
Dawn smiled proudly at her sister for a second.
"What?" the slayer asked.
"You've grown up so much." Dawn wiped a pretend tear from her eye.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yeah. But at least I get along with my team. Sounds like you and Dr. McKay are having troubles."
"I told you…he's an ass." Dawn shrugged. "Doesn't mean I don't listen. He may not be mister personality, but he is a genius. He knows what he's talking about."
Buffy nodded. "So no friction?"
Dawn shook her head. "Nope. As long as he's fair and as long as he's right when he's trying to drill something into my brain, I can deal with him being arrogant."
Buffy nodded. "Good."
The sisters continued to chat as the casually strolled through the city, heading back to their room. They stopped when Dr. Weir's voice came over the comm system.
Buffy dug through her bag to get her radio. "This is Dr. Summers."
"Dr. Summers, could you come to the briefing room in an hour." Dr. Weir asked.
"Can do." Buffy responded and looked at Dawn. "I swear, if they want me to change the format of my reports again, I'm gonna scream." She growled.
Dawn just laughed. "Someone needs a vacation."
A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A
SGC-Earth
"General O'Neill. May I have a word with you please." A terse voice caught Jack's ears as he headed to the commissary.
"Just one word?" O'Neill sighed, turning to face the ambassador.
"Am I to understand that the new crews for Persephone and Zhuan Xuwill be composed of primarily American service personnel?" the Chinese ambassador asked, beginning to walk with General O'Neill.
"For the shakedown cruises, yes. It's just a quick hop over to see Thor, where he will install Asgard shields, beaming technology, hyperdrive and weapons. Why?" General O'Neill asked as they headed into the commissary.
"This is unacceptable. The Zhuan Xuis a Chinese built and Chinese manned ship…" the ambassador tried to argue.
"No, actually, it isn't." O'Neill cut him off. "Your government footed the bill, your government footed the labor and resources. Just like the European Union did for Persephone and just like we did for Prometheus. And as we all agreed, those ships are Earth vessels. Not American, not European and not Chinese. Look under the articles of the agreement."
The ambassador glowered at General O'Neill. "I have read the articles, General. It clearly states that the country of origin is responsible for maintenance and crew."
"And you will be. We, the United States, the European Union and the Russia have all agreed that it would be best if a majority of the staff that goes on the shakedown and refitting cruise be those with the most experience in deep space and the technology that will be put on board. We got a gaggle of recruits for Prometheus and have divided their old crew between Zhuan Xu and Persephone. When Russia gets their butts in gear and gets Anastasiaoff the ground, that will also make the trip and it will also be staffed with a mostly American crew. What are you complaining about, anyway? Your crew will be going along to learn how to use the technology and systems." General O'Neill sighed.
"Systems and technology that will be under direct control of the American forces on board." The Ambassador said.
"Until they return, yeah. They will be. Until they learn how to use the systems, until they are trained…yes. Then, the ship is handed immediately to the new crew. And instead of green, raw recruits, you will have veteran crews ready and able to defend the planet should the Goa'uld get an itch to attack us again." General O'Neill said. "You have to learn to trust people, ambassador. We're fighting a war that's bigger than the United States, Russia, China, England or France. We need to come together and this is the closest we have ever come to unity on our planet."
The Ambassador narrowed his gaze and took a deep breath. "What you say is true, however I and my government will still be wary until Zhuan Xuis staffed by our people." He said and then turned to walk away.
"That's what I'm trying to say…it is. We gotta stop thinking of ourselves as separate. We're human…all of us. We better start acting like it." General O'Neill said, shaking his head.
The ambassador stood in the doorway, his head glancing slightly over his shoulder as he considered O'Neill's words. He nodded his head once and walked away.
General O'Neill sighed and looked down at the food selection. "Oh, jello." He smiled and grabbed a serving, piling it onto his tray and went to sit down.
A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A
SGC-Earth-Infirmary
"You're all set. Thanks, Dr. Maclay." The phlebotomist said, bandaging Tara's arm after drawing a small tube of blood.
"Thanks." Tara replied softly, hopping down and heading for the door. She was better, but they still treated her like she was made of glass. She headed to get some food and was almost knocked over by Dr. Jackson as she turned the corner.
"Whoa! Sorry Tara…didn't see you there." Daniel smiled. "You ok?"
Tara rolled her eyes. "I'm fine." She almost growled. Ever since she came back from P3X-912 people had been doing this.
Dr. Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Ok…just making sure." He said.
Tara closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just…I'm not made of glass. So I passed out, I'm better now."
"You passed out for almost a week." Daniel said softly. "Willow was terrified."
Tara nodded. "I know. You should see her before I go offworld now."
Daniel grinned. "You should see her whileyou're offworld."
That prompted a smile from the wicca. "She just worries."
"We all do." Daniel said. During their time at the SGC, Willow and Tara had been accepted easily. Both were very likable, but there was something about Tara that had seemingly made everyone on the base more protective of her.
Tara nodded. "I know. But sometimes you can protect something to death."
Daniel nodded. "I know the feeling. It took forever before Jack would let me move around offworld without Teal'c shadowing me."
Tara grinned. "So what happened?"
"I died, ascended, and came back." Daniel shrugged. "Plus, I learned how to fire every weapon in the armory and began training with Teal'c. I'm not a soldier, but at least I know which way to point a weapon now."
Tara smiled. She had made it clear that she felt very uncomfortable around guns and it had taken almost a month for Colonel Markson to get her to carry a simple 9mm sidearm. "Well…what if I carried a Zat? Would that make everyone feel better?"
Daniel shrugged. "It's a start." He looked around. "Where's Willow?"
"Offworld. They think they have a location on the remains of an Ancient outpost. They went to investigate." Tara said.
"When are they due back?" Daniel asked.
"A week." Tara replied sadly.
"Well Sam, Teal'c and I are going to Jacks this weekend for a little get together. You want to join us?" Daniel asked.
Tara thought about it for a minute and nodded. She was going to use the downtime to catch up on some paperwork, but she had to admit she was feeling a bit lonely. "Sure. If it's ok with General O'Neill?"
"If what's ok with General O'Neill?" Jack's voice asked from behind the blonde.
"I invited Tara to join us this weekend." Daniel said.
"Sweet. You like to fish?" Jack asked.
Tara shrugged. "I've never tried it."
"Cool. I get to break her in." Jack said. He saw the Chinese ambassador at the end of the hall and hastily backed away, keeping Daniel and Tara between him and the ambassador. "See you this weekend…bye." He hurriedly said and ducked down a side hall.
A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A
Conference Room-Atlantis
Dr. Weir looked at the assembled group. They didn't have the personnel to make a Pegasus version of the SGC, but they had a functioning offworld team. Dr. McKay, Major Sheppard, Lieutenant Ford and Teyla comprised the group. They had been offworld several times now, and she had to admit that the prospects weren't good. The Genii, The Wraith, weird bugs that reminded her of the Wraith, and still no sign of a ZPM.
She had Dr. Summers scouring the Ancient's database for gate addresses and anything that could remotely be an outpost like the Terra Atlantus on Earth. Since Buffy's team began, they had three possible locations. The first two were fruitless. The third, however, was interesting. That's what the meeting was all about.
Buffy walked into the conference room and smiled sheepishly. She set her laptop and folders on the table and set her computer up, trying to hurry while staying inconspicuous at the same time. It was hard to do with five pairs of eyes watching her. "Sorry. I had to grab some things." She said, sitting down.
"That's quite alright." Dr. Weir smiled. The blonde had made a lot of progress over the last few months, ever since her team started the task of translating and archiving the Ancient database. In terms of shear volume, they had barely scratched the surface of the data. But they also knew that it was very possible to, eventually, have the database translated.
"So why are we all here?" Major Sheppard asked, looking at Dr. Weir. "We've gone through the list Buffy gave us. No ZPM's." he said, shrugging an apology at Buffy.
"That's what we don't know for sure." Dr. McKay said. "There is still one planet we haven't checked."
Major Sheppard raised his eyebrows. "Hoth?" he practically shouted. "You want us to go to Hoth?"
Dr. Weir grinned. M4X-392 was a frozen wasteland as far as the MALP could determine. The temperature was nearly –90 degrees Celsius in what little sunlight there was. It dropped to almost double when the gate side was rotated away from the light. That was -180 degrees celsius. Using starcharts, they determined that the plant, now being called Hoth by Major Sheppard due to the fact that it reminded him of the ice planet from the movie "The Empire Strikes Back". Everyone agreed that it was much to dangerous to try sending a team, even in a Puddlejumper.
That all changed when the MALP sent back data. They were receiving a feint energy signature from somewhere within the MALPs sensor range, which was fifty kilometers. The energy signature matched a ZPM.
"Yes. I think that there is sufficient evidence to warrant an expedition." Dr. McKay defended his position. "If there is a ZPM there, we can use it to power weapons, shields and the Gate to get us back home if needed."
"Yeah, but the place is a barren wasteland. Negative ninety in the light, damn near negative one-thirty in the dark! We would never survive." Major Sheppard argued.
"We have plenty of protective gear packed. We could last longer than you think, especially since the Jumper would be shuttling us from the gate to the front door of whatever outpost the ZPM is at." Dr. McKay said, rolling his eyes. "We should be just fine."
Major Sheppard shook his head. "It's suicide. The coldest temperature recorded on Earth was negative eighty-nine degrees Celsius. This is going to be a lot colder."
Buffy watched the two go back and forth before raising her hand.
Dr. Weir smiled. "You don't have to do that, Dr. Summers. You have a question?"
Buffy nodded. "Why exactly did you need me here?" she said.
"Because I am authorizing the mission. Take a jumper, scout from the air and see if you can find the location of the base. If you can, come back and we organize another mission to get into the base to retrieve the ZPM." Dr. Weir said, watching as Major Sheppard closed his eyes and shook his head. "I realize the dangers, Major. That's why this mission will be by volunteer."
Buffy looked at the members of the team. "I'm going." She said softly. They needed that ZPM, especially since the Wraith were awakening at an increased rate.
"I shall go as well. My people have an interest in seeing Atlantis prevail against The Wraith. If we are living here, we shall endeavor to assist in it's defense." Teyla added.
Dr. McKay folded his hands in front of him and sighed. "I guess I'm in." he said softly. "If for no other reason than to make sure there actually is a ZPM."
Sheppard and Ford looked at each other and sighed. They nodded and Sheppard looked at Dr. Weir. "I guess we're all going then." He said. "I'll prep a Jumper." He said, standing up. "Ford, I want every bit of non-essential gear replaced with sub-zero survival gear and plenty of first aid."
Ford nodded and headed to the infirmary.
Dr. Weir smiled. "You have a go." She said softly as the team filed from the room.
A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A~~~~~A
Buffy sat in the Jumper seat and as the gate dialed. The blue symbols on the surface of the Stargate lighting up as they engaged made Buffy grin. When she and Dawn first saw the new gate, Dawn broke into a huge grin.
"It's digital!" the teen had said.
Buffy nodded in agreement. "The one at the SGC is like an old rotary phone." She said sagely. "It's still functional, but the new ones are touchtone."
The gate engaged, bringing Buffy out of her reverie. The Jumper lowered into the Gateroom and they sailed through the horizon. Everything went south from there.
The window on the front of the jumper frosted over almost instantly. Major Sheppard swerving as his vision was obscured. There was also a noticeable drop in temperature inside the jumper. She could see her breath as she breathed.
"Dammit!" Major Sheppard swore and slowed the jumper to a hover, engaging the cloaking device. Not that anyone was going to be out looking in the blizzard they caught a glimpse of before losing visibility. Concentrating on defrosting the frozen front viewport, the window began to clear, the edges glowing faintly. "I think I can give us some visibility, but this is damn hard work. I can't do anything about the environmental controls, though." He said, starting to fly off in the direction of the feint energy signature they had detected.
"The jumper can travel in space! Why can't the controls keep up here?" McKay snapped, grabbing a blanket.
"Because in space, the temperature is based on how well something can absorb radiation and what heat sources are nearby. We're on the thirteenth planet from the sun, doc. And we are very far from a heat source, in fact, we have to generate our own. The elements outside are working a hell of a lot harder to freeze us than the jumper is working to keep us all toasty. The jumper just is barely able to keep up with producing heat, searching for a faint energy signature, flying in a gale force wind and keeping the window from instantly freezing." Sheppard said. "I think we're stabilizing, though. The temperature isn't dropping any lower than this."
The group all muttered non-commitally and huddled closer together. Buffy, Dr. McKay and Teyla did anyway. Ford and Sheppard were left in the front two seats.
"How far from the signature are we?" Sheppard asked after about ten minutes. They were flying against gale force, freezing winds and progress was slow going.
"Should be almost there sir." Ford replied. Even his voice sounded like it was freezing. Soon, they all realized, they would have to go out into this mess and see what they could find. Sheppard was trying to narrow the search area as tight as possible before he would land and venture from the relative safety of the jumper, however.
The small, bundled group suddenly jolted around as the jumper tipped almost vertically, shooting upwards, the engines groaning under the effort.
"What the…?" Dr. McKay started, and then looked out the front bay window. They were traveling, possibly only a foot over, a large spiraling structure.
Major Sheppard leveled the craft as they reached the tip of the spire and looked over at Ford, narrowing his gaze, obviously annoyed.
"We're here." Ford said sheepishly.
The structure wasn't large, really. It was just the spire, which was tall, no doubt, and a smaller, squat structure below it. There was no visible lighting on the exterior and no writing they could make out. In all, it reminded Buffy of a solid Eiffel Tower.
"I'm reading a faint signal from that thing." Major Sheppard said. "This thing is a docking pylon." He said. "We can probably dock and head right into the structure."
The group made a collective sigh and sat back, waiting for their pilot to dock. They were all anxious to see if there really was a ZPM they could use.
"There…" Sheppard pointed out the window.
"Where?" Dr. McKay pushed into the cockpit. "I don't see anything."
"It's there." Sheppard said, bringing the jumper around again.
"Are you sure?" McKay asked, skeptical.
"Pretty sure, yeah." The Major replied.
"And if you're wrong?" Dr. McKay asked, rolling his eyes.
"Than we bump into the pylon, realize I'm wrong and keep looking. Stop asking so many questions…you're distracting me." Sheppard said, shooing McKay into the back.
Dr. McKay sat down and glanced at Buffy and Teyla, both huddled together with their teeth chattering and their bottom lips quivering as they were turning an interesting shade of near-blue. "We're going to dock soon." He said reassuringly.
The ship stopped and suddenly began backing up. A small bump was felt before the engines powered down and the window froze over again. The diverted power, now that the engines and defroster were no longer fighting the elements, was sent into life support and the temperature increased to a much warmer setting.
Buffy and Teyla, along with the rest of the crew, took an unusually long time to change into warmer gear and ready themselves to see if the door would actually open. None of them would admit they were basking in the delicious heat.
"Ready to do this?" Sheppard asked.
None of the crew moved, instead they just stared at him.
He smiled and turned. "Ok." He sighed, keying the door.
The ramp lowered and instead of stopping as it hit a flat wall, continued to lower into a small alcove with a small door at the end. The alcove, they were very pleased to find, was also heated. Sheppard walked into the small room and lights came on in recessed tracks in the ceiling and floor, just like on Atlantis.
"I'm liking the chances even better now." Sheppard turned back to McKay and smiled.
Walking up to the door, which was barely five feet from the floor to its top arch, Sheppard waved his hand over the sensor. The door groaned once, no doubt from a few millenniums of inactivity, and slid up. The passage inside was dark, but they could see there was significant damage on the inside. Ceiling struts lay broken and mangled on consoles. Smashed screens lay dormant and black as they cautiously made their way through the ruined hallway. No recessed lighting illuminated their way.
The hallway stopped at another door. Sheppard waved his hand over the sensor and the door hissed open. The small room inside would barely fit all five of them as they crowded in.
"It's a transporter, like on Atlantis." McKay muttered.
"So where are we going?" Sheppard asked, looking at the digital display on the screen in front of him. He'd ask McKay later why some systems were working and others were offline.
"I'd say the only way we can go…there." McKay pointed to the only other dot on the small map. It was directly below them, but a good two hundred feet down.
"Works for me." Sheppard muttered. "Just be ready." He said and touched the small dot.
Nothing happened.
"I knew that was gonna happ…" Sheppard started to say when a bright light enveloped them and they were gone.
"…en." Sheppard finished, looking around.
Buffy looked around. They weren't in an enclosed transporter alcove. They were in the middle of a lab, from the looks of things. There were several consoles spread around the very large room and about twenty-five or so long, cylinders lining the far wall. Several screens hung from the ceiling and they were all lined with criss-crossing markings. Upon closer inspection, everyone realized they were fractures in the crystal screens.
"Ok. Lets see if we can lock down the readings. Ford, you and McKay see if you can get some computers running, try to access some sort of log. Teyla, you and Buffy look for anything hard copy, it's a long shot, but humor me." Sheppard said. "I'm gonna check the perimeter and see if there are any other doors."
The team nodded and began their tasks. Sheppard figured the room was almost ninety feet across to where the cylinders were and almost twice that in length. As like in the hallway upstairs, there was debris scattered around the massive room and almost no lights were coming on. Those that did would glow faintly, illuminating no more than five feet around them.
'Not enough to be of any real help, but just enough to give me the creeps.' Buffy thought to herself as she and Teyla headed across the room. Buffy stopped at the wall with the cylinders. They were on a raised catwalk and she climbed the stairs and tried peering inside but it was like trying to look into darkness. Glancing around, she saw a small dais in the center of the catwalk. Walking over, she placed her hand on the screen on the surface and heard a hum of energy. Turning, she saw that one of the cylinders was lit up.
Looking over at Teyla, Buffy shrugged.
Teyla merely nodded, raising her weapon.
Buffy walked up to the Cylinder and wiped a layer of thick frost from the glass cylinder. Her eyes went wide and she looked at Teyla. Grabbing her radio, Buffy quickly hit the call button. "Major. You should come over here…now."
"On my way." Sheppard's voice crackled over the radio.
Buffy looked at Teyla and took in a deep breath.
"What is…that?" Teyla asked, gesturing at the cylinder.
Dr. McKay and Lieutenant Ford came running up and skidded to a halt when they saw what was in the cylinder.
"Oh my…" was all McKay managed to say before Sheppard came up.
"What's the big…" Sheppard was asking before he trailed off, looking into the cylinder.
"This place isn't an Atlantian base." Buffy said, looking at the dais and scrolling through the information. She glanced at the small, thin and frail looking occupant in the cylinder. "And according to this, he's alive in a stasis field."
Sheppard looked at Ford and McKay, smiling. This might be just what they needed.
"I do not understand. You know this…creature?" Teyla asked.
"You could say that." Sheppard said. "Can you wake him?" he asked Buffy.
Buffy bit her lip. "I can translate, but I think Dr. McKay should be the one up here." She said, stepping aside as McKay climbed through the railing and rubbed his hands together.
McKay punched a few digital panels on the dais and a soft hum was heard from the cylinder. The glass raised and everyone coughed as stale air wafted out of the tube.
The figure did not stir for a very long few seconds, but finally, he turned his head slightly, groaning. Opening large, orb-like black eyes, he looked at the group. He took a tentative step forward and tilted his head slightly. "I am Tyr, of the Asgard. Who are you?"
Buffy smiled. Stepping forward, she knelt and peered into his eyes. She resisted the urge to hug him, barely. "Have we got a story for you." She said softly.
A/N 2: Heh...uhm...I wrote this before I saw "The Lost Tribe" on SG:A. (S5e11) So this one is a bit...different. He is much more like his Ida counterparts.