"Any idea on why Woolsey called us here?" Sheppard asked while pouring himself some coffee in the conference room.
"If we did, why would we be here?" Rodney asked as Sheppard sat down next to him.
"I don't know, Rodney," John said, "I was just making conversation."
"You couldn't find anything better?"
John sighed and rolled his eyes. He caught Lydia's eye as she laughed at the two of them.
"Shut up, McKay." Ronon said.
"Now, boys, play nice." Lydia said sarcastically.
Teyla watched in amusement, shaking her head. Woolsey entered the room and sat down at the head of the table. He laid his tablet on the table, sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"I'll cut right to the chase," he said, "there are Wraith on Earth."
"Excuse me?" McKay said.
"How are you sure?" Sheppard asked.
"There are reports of a 'life-giving cult.' It's a religious cult that has been in southern California for over a year and a half now. The government contacted former members of the cult and they described the leaders as two green skinned, white haired, tall men. They had slits in their fingers that seemed to take and give life to you, one of the best sensations they've ever felt."
"How did the Wraith get there?" Teyla asked.
"The Air Force is speculating these Wraith were part of the attack on Earth by the ZPM powered hive. Instead of crashing into Area 51, they landed and took up residence when they learned their hive was destroyed."
"Yeah, but why make a cult? Why not just start killing people?" Rodney questioned.
"If they just randomly started killing people they would be easily notice. Might as well lay low and get some humans to worship you." John said.
"But wouldn't they starve?" Lydia asked.
"No," Woolsey said, "another thing the former members said was that senior cult members were eventually killed. They had a ceremony where the whole cult was gathered to watch the Wraith fully feed on senior members The Wraith told them they were sending them to a great afterlife. After that, new senior members were chosen for the next ceremony in a couple months."
"Well, this all just sounds wonderful." John said sarcastically.
"Why are we being told about this?" Ronon asked.
"The NID wants a team from Atlantis to come take them out. I figured you all would like the job."
"I'm not one to state the obvious," Rodney said.
"Since when?" John interjected.
"But," Rodney continued glaring, "since when is it a good idea for our two senior military officers to go to Earth at the same time?"
"They go on missions together all the time, McKay." Ronon said.
"Yes, while that also is a stupid idea, planets in the Pegasus galaxy are just a stargate away. Earth is a three week journey away."
"McKay's right," Lydia said, "I volunteer to stay behind."
"Alright," Woolsey said, "the four of you will go along."
"Actually, I was going to ask to stay in Atlantis as well." Teyla said.
"That's fine with me. You three have a go. You might as well take along the ZPM you found on that artic planet."
"Why would we do that?" Ronon asked.
"One of the conditions of Atlantis's return was that we give Earth the first ZPM we found for their defenses."
"Can't we just tell them it was depleted?" John asked.
"Unfortunately, they already have my report saying you found a working ZPM. So you will be taking it with you."
Woolsey go out of his chair and left the room. The rest slowly got up and out of the room.
"You volunteered to stay here pretty quickly." John said.
"I just thought you wanted to go." Lydia said.
"You have a date with Al, don't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Lydia said smiling.
"Sure," John said, not believing her.
"Hey, look at it this way, you three get a boy's day out. It'll be fun."
-…-
John, Rodney, and Ronon got out of a black SUV. The dirt road they were on was surrounded by trees and black tents. A man in a dark suit walked out of a tent and towards the men.
"Agent Barrett, nice to see you again." John said.
"You too, wish it was under better circumstances." Barrett said shaking Sheppard's hand.
"What can you tell us?" Rodney asked as Barrett led them into a tent.
"Their gated community is a few miles up the road, they're using an old polygamist community that was deserted in the 90's. We have two former members that agreed to go back in and be our eyes and ears."
"Why did they leave in the first place?"
"They said they got scared once some people seemed like were becoming brainwashed."
"They were becoming addicted to the Wraith enzyme." McKay said.
"Been there, done that." Ronon said.
"Anyway," Barrett said, "the community is made up of about one hundred people who are led by two Wraith."
"One hundred people? Doesn't anyone have any family worrying about them?" John asked.
"We know that at least a fourth of them have no family to speak of. The police in a few cities around the area have gotten many missing persons that are members. No one has had probable cause to investigate the cult until now."
Barrett led them into another tent. A stretcher sat in the middle with a white sheet over top of it. Malcolm flipped off the top revealing a face.
"His name was Dennis Franklin. His girlfriend reported him missing a few months ago. Then his body was found in the forest a few days ago with this on his chest."
Barrett pulled the sheet down lower to his hips. A wound from a Wraith feeding was on his chest.
"The coroner from Stargate Command found that he had been feed on several times, but his body wasn't strong enough for the enzyme."
"Why was his body in the forest?" McKay asked. "I can't see the Wraith just dumping him there to be found."
"The way we found his body suggests he had escaped and was running away when he died."
"Alright, back to why we're here," John said, "what do you need us to do?"
"I called you in because I needed people who know how the Wraith work." Barrett said covering the body and leading them out of the tent. "The three of you will go into the community and take the Wraith out. The government does want you to capture them alive for study, but I will have your backs if you 'accidently' kill them."
"How are we getting in?" John asked.
"There's a tunnel under the fence in the forest, here." Barrett pointed to a map. "We found Dennis's body near it and it's probably how he escaped. The two members we have inside, Jill and Oliver, will be waiting for you on the other side."
"Alright," John said turning to Ronon and Rodney, "all of us is using stunners. No bullets of any kind. I don't want any innocent victims, even if they're brainwashed to kill us."
-…-
"What's your plan?" McKay asked in the forest.
"Just playing it as we go along." John said
"You don't have a plan?"
"When do our plans ever work?" Ronon asked.
"That doesn't mean we shouldn't have one." McKay said.
"Once we meet up with the two informants and get more information, I'll make a plan. Does that sound good?" Sheppard said.
"Fine."
The three walked on, following the map on Rodney's tablet. Dusk was beginning to fall, an orange sky behind the green trees. The team eventually found the stone fence. It seemed old, moss growing on some parts and others with cracks through it. The only thing that was strange was the barbed wire on top.
"Just over there." Rodney said.
They approached a hole in the dirt that tunneled under the wall.
"I guess I'll go first." Ronon said.
He dug the hole a little wider with his hands. He slide his body under the wall and disappeared.
"It's clear." Ronon's voice said.
"Alright, Rodney, you're next." John said.
"I don't know about this." McKay said"
"Come on," John said, "if Ronon can fit, so can you."
"It's not that. Why am I on a mission like this? This is a more you and Ronon type of mission."
"McKay, what if I need you? What if I need someone to hack us into a system or something?" Sheppard said stroking McKay's ego.
"You really think you'll need me?" McKay asked nervously.
"Of course," John said, "and besides, I can't see you walking all the way back to the camp when it's getting dark."
"You have a point."
McKay struggled under the wall, Ronon even helped pull him out. Sheppard easily slide under and joined them. It seemed like they were back in the forest from the trees that surrounded them. The men walked out a few feet and could then see the back of houses. A rustling in the bushes caused the three to raise their guns. A man and a woman appeared.
"Don't shoot," the man said putting up his arms.
"Are you Oliver and Jill?" John asked.
"Yes we are." Jill said.
The boys lowered their stunners.
"Take these," Jill said handing them robes that looked like the ones the two of them were wearing, "wear them over your clothes. They'll help you get close to the leaders."
The three of them slipped the robe over their clothing and followed the couple out into the community. Others walked around in the same green robes. A few had black tattoos on their face like the Wraith.
"Where is everyone going?" Rodney asked.
"They are going to have supper and then first sleep before midnight prayer." Oliver explained.
"Midnight prayer?" Ronon asked.
"The leaders say the moon is the source of their power and it's most powerful at midnight. We have midnight prayer every night. The 'heaven ceremony' is done at midnight." Jill said.
"During the midnight prayer is when the community is closest to the leaders. Sometimes afterwards, current members privately bring forward new members of the community. We figured this was the easiest way to get you close to them privately."
"That sounds perfect," John said, "what do we do while we wait?"
"I figured you all would be hungry, so I prepared dinner for us." Jill said leading them into their small home.
"What's for dinner?" Ronon asked.
"Garlic lemon chicken."
"Did someone say lemon?" Rodney asked.
-…-
The community left their homes and gathered together in the center of the community at exactly midnight. Everyone's hoods were up around their faces.
"Why are you doing this?" John asked as they waited.
"Doing what?" Oliver asked.
"You escaped, but you came back in to help us."
"Our brother's still in here." Jill said. "He became a member before the two of us and was already brainwashed when we realized what was going on."
"Well, thanks for helping us." John said.
"Thank you for wanting to help these people."
The Wraith exited the house the people were gathered around. Without a word, the community circled around them. All of the people knelt down and Wraith raised their arms into the air. Everyone started to hum. The Wraith walked through the crowd, pulling a few into the center. One stopped in front of the boys. He stood there for a moment and then chose a woman from behind them. They gathered a dozen people in front of them and pulled off their hoods. Each Wraith took one person and started to feed on them. Ronon tried to jump up but John pulled him back down.
"What are you doing?" Ronon asked.
"We can't give ourselves away," John whispered back, "we're three against one hundred."
"But they're killing them."
"No," Oliver whispered, "watch."
The Wraith feed, bringing the people the brink of death. Then, they slowly stated giving their life back. It took the two Wraith about an hour to go through the dozen people. When they were finished, the people dispersed back into the street. As the crowd thinned, John spotted to men with stunners strapped over their robes.
"I thought you said this would be private." John said.
"It usually is," Jill said, "but they know more people are escaping the community and that they might go to the police so they would need protection."
"Alright, everyone stay calm and wait for my signal."
Oliver and Jill led them to the presence of the Wraith. The two lowered their hoods and bowed their heads.
"We bring new members of the community, masters."
One of the Wraith walked over to the three. He pulled off John's hood and then Rodney's without a word. He put his hands on Ronon's and slowly revealed the man's face. The Wraith backed away, recognition written on his face. He raised his hand to Ronon, about to speak. Ronon quickly tackled the Wraith. John pulled out his stunner and hit the two guards before they knew what was happening. They collapsed on the ground. Ronon pulled out his gun and stunned the Wraith he had tackled. The other Wraith took a stunner from one of the collapsed guards and pointed it at Rodney's head. John pointed his stunner at that Wriath's head.
"Drop it," John said, "there are three of us and one of you."
"But I have this." The wraith said.
He pulled a ball out of his pocket.
"You have a bomb?" McKay asked.
"Yes," the Wraith said, "and it'll destroy all of us, including your team in tents down the road."
John inhaled and pursed his lips.
"Did you really think we didn't know you weren't here?"
"Maybe," John said. The Wraith smirked.
"Let me go or we all die."
John tightened his grip around the stunner. His eyes shifted to Ronon and then back to the Wraith.
"Fine, go."
The Wraith lowered his gun and went to leave. Instead he raised it again and stunned Rodney to the ground. He went to shoot John. Ronon raised his gun and quickly shot the Wraith. John quickly ran to Rodney. After making sure the man was just unconscious, he turned his attention to Ronon.
"Did you kill it?" John asked.
"Yeah," Ronon said, "I set the gun to kill seconds before."
"At least we have one alive." John said. "Come on, let's get out of here before some alarm goes off or something."
-…-
Rodney held an ice pack to his head that had smacked off the ground. Ronon scared away the doctor that was trying to check him.
"What happens now?" John asked Agent Barrett.
"Now we make this community a temporary hospital. Doctors will be sent in along with a few military personnel to keep order. All of those people are going to have a hard few weeks ahead of them from the withdrawal. The government's still deciding on a cover story. They're probably going to decide that the Wraith's appearance was a hallucination from a drug."
"Speaking of the Wraith, what's going to happen to him?"
"They're both actually going to Area 51 for study. The dead one's body is going to be studied inside out."
"I guess that's a plus," Rodney said, "I know they've been complaining since Todd left."
"Can we go home now?" Ronon asked gruffly.
"Yeah," John said, "let's get the eighteen day journey over with."
A/N: Hope you all like the chapter!
"over the moon by midnight" - Midnight by Red Hot Chili Peppers