CHAPTER 8 – PLANS FOR A COUP
John did feel better after several hours of good sleep and after checking on his charges in the infirmary, found them up and about and watching a movie on a laptop computer. Farek was seated on one of the infirmary beds with Mallon stretched out beside him and they were both chuckling over a young woman in a suit who held an umbrella that made her fly through the air.
John raised an eyebrown at Carson. "Mary Poppins? Seriously?"
"Well I didn't want to scare them with Star Wars, so went for the non violent movie. What? It's a good movie."
Carson's taste in movies whenever it came time for him to choose on movie night, usually had everyone groaning. Softer in nature, he preferred the Disney and family movies over the battle and gore that the others liked.
"But Mary Poppins? You'll have them thinking that people from earth are all slightly mad..."
"Oh, and Star Wars has such a good case for reality on earth...hmmm?"
John just screwed up his face and went to lean comfortably on the bed beside the brother and sister, smiling down at their obvious enjoyment of the movie.
"So kids, I'm guessing that movies don't feature in your world?"
Farek looked up at him in delight. "This is wonderful Colonel Sheppard! To be able to watch this and laugh, just because you can. The children of your world are most fortunate. I would like to try one of these flying devices. Do you have one here in Atlantis?"
John was openly chuckling now. "Ah Farek, this movie – it's not real. It's a story, designed, as you said – to make you laugh and feel good. We don't fly around with umbrellas on earth – really! We watch movies like this as a form of entertainment, for enjoyment – to escape the mundane of real life from time to time. We do the same thing by reading books."
He had given John his full attention now. "Surely books are your source of reference, history?"
"They are Farek – but they are also a source of entertainment. You my friend, have a lot to learn about our world. And I, have a lot of work to do. So, I'll leave you to finish your movie." He paused, watching Mallon's face.
"Mallon? I'd like to have a word with you – in private, please?"
Her face shuttered a little, but she did not refuse, instead eased herself out of the bed and followed him out of the main part of the infirmary to a private annex attached. "Yes Colonel?"
He moved in close to her, watching as her eyes widened and took a breath. He wanted to touch her, but she seemed afraid, and remembering her accusations on the planet, he thrust his hands into his pockets, afraid she would confuse his actions with something else. Hell, he didn't know what he felt for her really, only knew that feelings had developed but did not want to quantify them as something they were not, until he knew himself what they were.
"I wanted to make sure you were ok, I know you're trying to be brave in front of your brother..." A little frustrated now, he turned away from her slightly and dropped his head. Mallon watched him, noting his tense body language and the way he kept his hands in his pockets. A flash of insight told her why he did this, and she felt a little ashamed that she had accused him of something and now he was afraid to touch her. She closed the distance between them, and reached out her own hand to place on his arm, stepping closer to him so that she could lay a cheek on his chest. She heard him sigh and felt his hands come out of his pockets so that his arms could come around and hold her, loosely so as not to frighten her.
"I am grateful to you Colonel Sheppard, as Farek is. You saved our lives and I know you fight demons yourself inside, trying to find a way to save the others. I wish to help you. I don't know yet what I can do, but I don't want to sit here and do nothing while you and your people take risks to save mine. You must tell what I can do to help as soon as you come up with a plan. Will you promise me that?"
"If I can guarantee your safety, then yes Mallon, I will let you help." He moved his head down so that he could bury it in her hair and he heard her sigh again.
"We seem to have spent wasted time misjudging one another Colonel Sheppard... John..."
She felt his lips smile against her hair, and a smile of her own came to her lips. "Sometimes we are mistrustful by nature Mallon. Out here and on earth, I have seen the very best and the very worst of people, and I sometimes am a little quick to judge. You're a good woman and I'm sorry if I thought anything else."
She tipped her face up and he dropped a soft kiss onto her lips, just a small one so as not to frighten her and watched as her eyes widened. "And my feelings for you at the moment are a little confused right now, but I want to spend time with you, and I hope you'll let me?"
"I would like that John. I would like to get to know you – you seem to have many layers and each layer is very different."
His answer was a laugh and giving her one last hug he turned her to guide her back into the infirmary. "Go back to Mary Poppins Mallon. I'll see you later."
He sat in round table conference with Rodney, Ronon, Teyla, Major Lorne and Elizabeth a short time later.
"You want to stage a military coup..?" Rodney's hand held computer was in front on him and his finger was tapping restlessly on it? "Is that not a little irresponsible, even for you Sheppard? They have no army so to speak, they use enforcers who I imagine are their form of security, and would be completely loyal to the government, so when you say military coup, you mean our military – go in there and overthrow the government..."
John ran his hand through his hair, and stood up, hands now active and gesturing as he formed a mental picture of how they could achieve this.
"… We know that there is fear amongst the people and that many don't agree with the government and it's decisions and laws – but they have lived like that as long as anyone can remember and cannot conceive of how it can be changed. This is where an outside party, such as ourselves, needs to step in and show them how the government can be stopped."
Ronon eye's were dark and looked at John sharply. "How can you get the people to overthrow the government Sheppard? And if they do, that leaves them leaderless?"
"We have had countries that do this on a regular basis on earth Ronon. The people first, have to understand that the way their country is being ruled, is wrong. A coup can only happen when acceptance is realised. Cleansing the planet of the corrupt leaders by installing a new government is a key factor of a successful coup. Its success will depend on how our military creates a prelude to leading a coup by collaborating with the civil service and the more conservative people who are against any change in their status quo. It's not difficult for a military to carry out a coup in a country that does not have free and regular elections."
"By eliminating democracy?" Teyla sounded appalled.
"Only to start Teyla. The military take control of the government to start, while the foundations for new laws are laid down, then democracy can begin as the people are given the right to elect a governing body of their choice. Our military would go in to overthrow the existing government to give the people time to effect these changes. You will find that most on this world are ready for change but do not have the means or the strength to do it."
"So we would leave once the people have stepped in to form a new government?" Teyla looked a little less sceptical at this.
"Exactly Teyla." and John saw Ronon nod in agreement as he processed the information.
"Elizabeth – you haven't said anything – what are your thoughts on this?"
"I'm finding it hard to show support for a military coup John and I know it has been done successfully on earth many times, but that is by the military of that particular country. We're playing devil's advocate by stepping into business that is not our own..."
"By providing them with military support until they can form their own body... that is all Elizabeth – then we go. We don't influence their elections, we do however, give them some guidance as to new laws – just to make sure that the basis for their old society is completely pulled down and cannot be built back up again. We're giving these people a chance at a clean slate."
"And what of the present government? What do you intend to do with them?"
"Not us Elizabeth – the new government. That would be one of their first decisions as a ruling body. How to effectively deal with the overthrown government. And this is your field of expertise – you could guide them on policy change, fair civil rights and I have the perfect person who would assist you – and she's sitting in the infirmary right now. She's brave and ready to fight for what she knows is right, just as her mother and father did. It won't be a quick process, but once the old government is overthrown, we can start them on a new journey in the right direction."
"Oh John – I can see where you are coming from, really – but I don't know if that powers that be on earth will accept this sort of interference. Inciting revolution and military coup?"
"Not revolution Elizabeth. We'll be the only ones going in there armed and that is only to take out the present ruling body and to provide backup until they are on their feet. Apart from the enforcers, they are a weapons free planet, so revolution is not the answer. They don't need bloodshed and war. They just need the chance to remake their laws and begin again – form new trading alliances and reestablish to more honest reputation throughout the galaxy. They have mines that yield high grade weapons ore, they have good education systems in place – their only weakness is government and lack of cohesive military faction."
"Ok John – you've presented your case well. Give me some time to think through all the ramifications and I want to talk to a couple of people on earth who will be able to help with the planning stages in this, especially when it comes to dealing with the people and new government. We certainly have the military presence, but they will need help with the restructure, and we don't have the personnel here to deal with that. We'll put your plan into place John, but it'll be done the right way, with very careful planning. Your girl in there? She's willing to help?"
"She is Elizabeth, and so is her brother – and she knows which civilians will help to ensure this goes as smoothly as possible."
Elizabeth nodded. 'Let me do battle with earth first!"
