Let's Make A Deal. Chapter twelve

John's sleepy thoughts were interrupted by a gentle, but insistent nudging he instantly knew was Atlantis trying to get his attention. The comforting hum that only he was privileged to hear, grew in intensity though in no way was it intrusive or unpleasant.

He smiled to himself. Apparently Atlantis was growing anxious waiting for him to consciously connect with her. It still amazed him that he had the strongest ATA gene found to date. His gene even stronger than that of General O'Neill.

A few days after they had arrived and settled in the city, Atlantis made herself known to him. "She" for lack of a better description to describe the sentient part of the city, could only connect with one city dweller and the chosen one required to be the strongest gene carrier.

At first John was disturb by the connection, but quickly, the low hum that signified their connection became comforting and now, for the most part, he felt the connection subconsciously. The few times when their connection had been lost, John had felt a deep sense of loss. Even being off world at any given time, caused him a certain degree of emptiness...until he returned and felt her welcome him back. That feeling never got old.

Initially, John had not told anyone about the connection, or that Atlantis was sentient. Eventually, when he had felt comfortable and trusted them, he had told his team and also Elizabeth and Carson. They all agreed that no one else need know, especially not the IOA, who would no doubt exploit the situation and use John without regards to his civil rights.

Like the ascended Ancients, Atlantis could not interfere overtly, though she did give John information she deemed necessary. Since most of the city was still offline or damaged, Atlantis had no access to those areas and with only one ZPM, her abilities were severely limited.

''''Morning, Atlantis'''

((Good morning, John!))

'"Sorry I haven't talked to you sooner.'"

((You needed time to rest and I understand your need for 'space'.))

"'I appreciate that...thanks for the healing assist...I might not be here or at the least, I would be crippled, if you hadn't alerted Carson about that device being able to help you heal me!'"

(( You are welcome, my son...I felt it imperative to assist when your health is in jeopardy...But it is the component you speak of, as the reason I need to speak with you now. ))

"'Yeah...I know it has a significant value. McKay has been studying it but hasn't bothered to enlighten us with his findings yet...'"

(( I believe your Dr McKay is having a difficult time accessing the component, as strict safety precautions had been installed upon its assembly...it is of significant value that was long ago lost to the city. ))

"While I was held prisoner, I was forced to 'connect' with it, which ended up being a good thing. I don't know what happened, but everyone else in the room was stunned and I know I had some kind of seizure, which seems to have been when the device transferred some kind of unusual powers to me. Is is some kind of defense device?'"

(( Yes, John... The component is, in fact, a defense mechanism as you have surmised. It's primary function was to be an independent power conduit to enhance the city shield, but other properties were incorporated. In the event that the city was compromised, survivors could detach the unit and use its properties for defense, healing injuries and as a source of power, all in the hopes that it would help survivors relocate and have a chance at survival.))

"''Wow, pretty valuable thing to have!''"

((Yes, and unfortunately, one of the scientists called Anatharacles stole the device and took it, along with a group of his supporters out of Atlantis. It was presumed they went to an uninhabited world to start an unsanctioned colony. They were never heard from again.))

"'Guess the Ancients had their share of unsavory rebels.'"

((The Lanteans, or the Ancients as you call them, were not perfect, but they were highly advanced. Sometimes the combination had destructive properties))

"' Yeah, we're finding that out-more and more...Anyway, this device-when it gave me those powers...are they permanent? Can others benefit from its properties? Oh yea, how was I able to connect with the stargate? It was like it knew I needed to find it and guided me to it, then it sensed my need for it to not activate?""

((The powers instilled to you by your contact with the component are not permanent. The powers instilled after direct contact only lasts for a finite amount of time. That is why the component was needed for direct contact when you needed to be healed. Indirectly, the powers you possessed also allowed for you to be a conduit to use all Lantian devices without your need to be physically near. That was how I was able to reach out through the stargate to guide you to it. I also was able to help you to control the stargate. In answer to your question, others with the Ancient gene may benefit from contact with the compnent also, though I am afraid that there is something you need to consider regarding the component's usefulness.))

John's optimism dropped like a lead balloon. He knew this had to be too good to true.

'"OooKaay...give it to me...there's a problem?'"

((I am afraid that you and those concerned will need to make a choice as to how to best utilize the component. It was intended as an independent power conduit to enhance the city shield... when the full compliment of, what you call the ZPM's were in place and fully operational. Since that is not the case now, with only one ZPM in place, the component would need to be permanently integrated in order to utilize its power effectively. Doing so will render its other functions inoperable...permanently.))

"'So...what you're saying is...we either use it solely as a power source or we use it as a portable power source/short term defense/personal healer properties? Either, Or-not both?! ""

((I am sorry, John...if the full compliment of ZPMs were in place, it would not be an issue. There is much for you decide. I sense your frustration and your exhaustion. Please rest John.))

Atlantis slipped discreetly into the recesses of his mind, but not before she used her influence to help him relax and get the much needed sleep his body and mind still required.

TBC. Hope John and Atlantis's conversation wasn't too hard to read! I apologize...I tried to change the font, but grew frustrated when nothing I tried to do worked!