TEN
The guards at the other entrances to the command center immediately turned and raised their weapons at the Wraith Queen. Sheppard immediately drew his sidearm and almost in unison everyone opened fire on the Queen. But the bullets never reached their target. They simply bounced off an invisible, impenetrable shield that seemed to surround the Queen on all sides.
"A Psi-Shield?" questioned Tashjian in astonishment. "That's impossible. The Wraith don't have our abilities. She should not be able to project a Psi-Shield."
Suddenly the Queen raised her hand and everyone weapon in the room was ripped from its wielder's grasp. They flew across the room and landed at the Queen's feet.
"Tashjian," the Queen hissed. "Did you honestly think we did not know of you? You are a bigger fool than these humans. And now I've been able to duplicate your abilities. As have many others of my kind. When my ships get here we'll feast on everyone in this city. And then we'll return to their home world. As well as destroying you and all your kind."
"No," screamed Tashjian, moving to the edge of the platform in the command center.
Tashjian raised his hands but the Queen was faster. Bolts of lightning, identical to the ones Tashjian had used against the Psi-Wolf, shot from her hands striking Tashjian in the chest. He was knocked back against the wall of the room and struck with a resounding "thud". Then he simply slid to the floor and lay there unmoving.
The Queen then turned to the guards in the room. She raised her hands again and the guards were thrown against the walls, one by one. As each struck the wall they, too, slid to the floor and lay unmoving.
Suddenly Lt. Ford came rushing into the room with 2 security guards behind him. The Queen just turned and stared at the three men. They hesitated for a moment, their weapons bearing down on her. Suddenly the three men turned on each other and within moments they all lay dead on the floor.
Unarmed, Ronon suddenly launched himself at the Queen. She turned with incredible deftness and grabbed the Satedanean and threw him to the floor. Before he could move she slammed her hand into his chest and began to feed. Ronon struggled against the Wraith but within moments he lay dead on the floor, an ancient, desiccated corpse. Then the Queen turned and began to advance on the group standing in the platform.
No one in the room was armed. Most of the guards, as well as Tashjian, lay dead on the floor. In a panic, people began to flee from the Queen as she bore down on the small group obviously heading directly for Elizabeth. Their only defense against the Wraith was gone and they all knew that within moments they would probably lay dead on the floor with their companions.
Elizabeth sat behind her desk and looked around at the others gathered in her office. A look of confusion showed on her face. And she could tell from their expressions they were just as confused as she was. All except John. He actually looked bored.
"What just happened?" questioned Rodney. "The last thing I remember was the Wraith Queen. She killed all the guards and Ronon and was moving towards us."
"A small demonstration. To help convince those of you who might be reluctant."
They all looked up to see Tashjian, uninjured, standing in the doorway to Elizabeth's office. The 2 security guards stood behind him looking around as confused as Elizabeth, and apparently everyone except John, was.
"What do you mean a demonstration?" questioned Elizabeth.
"An illusion," said Tashjian. "None of what you just experienced was real. It was an illusion I created to show you just how dangerous a Wraith could be if they should learn to duplicate our powers."
"It seemed real enough to me," said Ronon. "I can still feel that Queen feeding on me."
"He did the same thing last time," said John. "It might have only been an illusion but it was, I think, a very effective one. That was just one Wraith with Tashjian's abilities. Imagine if all Wraith were able to duplicate his abilities."
"Well, I'm convinced," said Rodney still nervous from the imaginary Wraith Queen and her attack. "Sign me up."
"Ronon," said Teyla, "we know you are suspicious of Tashjian. But think about what we just experienced. Imagine if that had not been an illusion. If it had been real. How many people would be dead right now?"
"I don't know," said Ronon. "I still don't like the idea of anyone messing with my mind."
"I won't be messing with your mind," said Tashjian. "I will simply be removing certain select memories. Only the ones that apply to my people and our abilities. You won't notice anything different. And you will be no different from what you are right now. It is only a safeguard to protect not only my people, but yours as well."
"Ronon," said John, "I know how difficult this is for you. I know you don't trust people easily. And I know you don't completely trust Tashjian. But trust me. I've been through this before, remember? I'm exactly as I was before. The only memories Tashjian and his people removed were the ones pertaining to them."
"What if I refuse?" Ronon asked.
"Then we will hope that you are never taken by the Wraith," said Tashjian. "As I've said, we are a peaceful people. We would never dream of forcing anyone to comply with our requests. I will not force you. But I will implore you. The consequences are too dangerous."
"You could force him, couldn't you?" Elizabeth asked. "You've intimated you could actually force people to do what you want them to do."
"It would be an easy task," said Tashjian. "A simple idea implanted in someone's mind. Then they would capitulate willingly. But as I said, I won't do that. I will only ask that everyone submit voluntarily."
"Think about it, Ronon," said Elizabeth. "He's not going to force you even though he's capable of doing it. It seems to me we can trust him. And it appears that most everyone here agrees with that. All but you. Just think about it."
"Well," said Ronon feeling self-conscience, "I guess it can't hurt to think about."
"That's all I ask," said Elizabeth. "Tashjian, when everyone has made their decisions, we'll let you know."
"Thank you," said Tashjian. "While I wait, I think I'll go and have some chocolate. I'm going to miss that. We have nothing like it on my world."
"You've made the right decision," Tashjian said to Shepherd as they stood in front of the Stargate on Tashjian's home world. "The galaxy will be safe until the Wraith threat can be eliminated. Once that happens we will be able to venture out into the galaxy again. I will look forward to that day."
"Are you sure the others back at Atlantis won't remember anything?" Shepherd asked.
"Only the memories I put in their minds," said Tashjian. "As far as they're concerned your team came through to our planet to explore it. Once you return they'll accept whatever report you give them."
"Which will be that this planet is a barren world and inhospitable to humans," said Rodney.
"Exactly," said Tashjian. "If Dr. Weir explained it properly you'll simply lock the address out of your computers so you won't come back here. I must admit it is quite an ingenious idea."
"Well," said Rodney, "I got to thinking about what Elizabeth said. About finding the address in another database or something. If we do we won't have to go through this again. We'll just think the planet is uninhabitable and move on."
"And with the memories removed from our minds we won't be able to pass on any information to the Wraith if we should be captured by them," said Teyla.
"Speak for yourself," said Ronon. "I don't plan to be captured by them."
"You never know," said Shepherd. "Anything is possible."
"I appreciate your confidence, Ronon," said Tashjian. "I realize it was not an easy decision to allow me to remove your memories. But as I told you at Atlantis, you will be no different from what you are now. Just minus a few memories which you won't even miss."
"I hope not," said Ronon. "There are a few things I'd like to remember."
"Well the galaxy will be safe at least for the moment," said Tashjian. "And our lives and yours will pretty much go on as they have before. Perhaps one day our people can meet again. Without the necessity of having to remove your memories afterwards."
"We'll look forward to it," said Shepherd. "So, when do you remove our memories? Or repress them in my case."
"All ready done," said Tashjian. "It's what you might call a type of post hypnotic suggestion. Much more complex, of course. But it will take affect the moment you step through the gate on the other side. Once you step through you won't have any memories of what this planet is really like."
"What happens if your repression doesn't hold?" asked Shepherd.
"In that case you'll remember everything," said Tashjian. "The others, of course, won't. But you can simply return here and the memories can be repressed again. You should be going. The implantation won't last long. The sooner you get back the better it will be for everyone."
"Thanks for everything," said Shepherd, shaking Tashjian's hand. "I hope we can meet again soon."
"As do I major," said Tashjian. "I would appreciate learning more about your home planet, Earth. It sounds like a fascinating place."
"Oh, it is that," said Shepherd.
One by one the Atlantis crew stepped through the Stargate and disappeared from Tashjian's planet. He watched them go wondering if they would ever meet again.
The End
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