A/N: So pleased you liked the last Chapter, and thanks to everyone who left a review and/or PM'd me. They really do help…
I'm so sorry for the wait. I had a lot of background stuff to figure out, and this has ended up being the longest chapter yet.
The Legacy of Janus
Chapter 21
With the President's impending arrival the city had been thrown into a flurry of activity.
But there would be no pomp and ceremony involved as would normally befit such a prestigious event, as this was not an official Presidential visit. This was to be a Hearing: with lifechangingconsequences.
Considering the circumstances, General O'Neill had decided it best that he and Woolsey would greet the President upon his arrival, and John would not be present. He would be sent for when they were ready for him.
Despite the fact that this would not be an official visit, the formality of it still required that everyone wore more appropriate attire that reflected their position.
Teyla stood in her room, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
She had just heard over the Comm system that the President and his entourage had finally arrived, and were now in the Conference Room with General O'Neill and Richard Woolsey.
She had also changed into more traditional Athosian clothing and had chosen to wear her favourite top: a beautiful ocean blue bodice, with its sweetheart neckline, matching straps, and its dark swirling patterns seeming to emphasise the richness of the colour. The long flowing skirt completed the outfit. The blue, she realised suddenly, almost matched the very colour of John's energy…
Torren was luckily still with Jennifer, which meant she was free to see John alone. Who she knew was waiting in his quarters.
There had been no opportunity for her to speak with him alone since he had initiated the Lantean Lockdown, as he, General O'Neill, Mr Woolsey and Major Lorne had all returned to the Conference Room to discuss their next course of action.
Just as she was about to swipe her hand across the sensor to ring the ancient bell to John's room, the door instantly slid open. Smiling slightly, she walked inside.
But John was nowhere to be seen.
"John?"
"Be out in a sec…" came John's voice from the bathroom.
She wandered across the room to the window. Staring out at the desert, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that they would soon be leaving it far behind.
She turned back to the room, and found herself unexpectedly looking at John's room in a completely different way. Perhaps her mind had stopped her, protecting her for some reason, or that there had just not been time. But now, as she looked at his things, they somehow seemed…more. That, in this quiet moment, there was truly time to see…
His large 'War and Peace' book, which from the bookmark he was still only a third of the way thorough, lay on his bedside table beside a picture of himself as a boy with an older man. Who she now knew, was not his father.
Various surfing magazines, which were well thumbed, sat neatly piled up on his desk, and his set of golf clubs sat over in the corner of the room beside his skateboard: all indicating his favourite pastimes.
His black fleece top and BDU trousers he had worn earlier lay neatly folded over the back of his chair, and she lightly ran her hand over them. They were still warm, indicating he had just removed them.
Then her eyes settled naturally on the bed. Immaculately made as usual… it now had much more meaning. She had often wondered how he managed to fit into such a small bed; he seemed so much taller.
Hers was much larger….
"Hey, Teyla," said John warmly, as he emerged from the bathroom, instantly forcing her from her thoughts.
She smiled at the sight of him, and her heart skipped a beat.
He was now wearing his official Air Force Dress uniform, and was in the process of affixing his tie to his shirt with a silver pin.
He so rarely wore it that she had forgotten how incredibly handsome he looked in it.
He finally finished fixing his tie, looked up, and his eyes suddenly widened as he gazed at her.
"Wow…" he choked, as he looked her up and down appreciatively. "You look…stunning."
She immediately felt herself blushing. "Well, thank you, John," she replied, inclining her head gracefully, and her smile widening. "You also look…very elegant."
He grimaced slightly as he looked down to do up the three silver buttons of his suit jacket. "Yeah, well I used to hate wearing these things: Always preferred BDUs or a flight suit."
"And now?"
He looked up at her sadly. "Now? Somehow I get the feeling that I might be wearing this for the last time…."
"John…"
He sighed heavily. "It is what it is, Teyla. When I decided on my course of action, I knew this day would come. I understand the repercussions of my actions. I've been this road before, remember? Only the last time it wasn't with the President himself…" he grimaced at that thought. "But I've…made my peace with that. It's just…"
Teyla knew exactly what else he was referring to. That if the President refused to recognise his claim as both Heir and therefore of Atlantis, his actions would not be acknowledged as such, and it would then become a Court Martial.
Teyla did not fully understand the legal procedures for such a hearing. But what she did know was that if that was the case, she knew that John would then forsake everything: that he would walk away… from the Air Force, Earth, his apparent wealth and his own brother.
She walked slowly towards him, took both of his hands in hers, and looked up at him. "John, the President will understand, of that I am sure."
He looked at her, his expression now soft and tender. Teyla's heart quickened as he looked down at her lips, and began to slowly move towards them.
At that very moment, the voice of Chuck came over the speaker in his room.
"Colonel Sheppard. The President is ready for you in the Conference Room."
He sighed, and picked up his comm. Set from the table, inserted it into his ear and activated it. "Thanks, Chuck. I'm on my way."
He then went over to his bedside table, opened the drawer, and brought out the Rod of Janus, placing it inside his jacket.
He looked back at Teyla. "I guess were about to find out…"
SGA SGA SGA SGA
As John promptly made his way down the corridors, with Teyla close at his side, he tried hard to steady his heart and energy, both of which were racing.
He knew only too well of the speed in which word would have spread through the city of what had happened, and tried not to notice, or focus, on all the stares from the people as he passed them by.
But he could still feel it: the admiration, the expectation, the loyalty and the wonder. It made him feel not just incredibly humble, but incredibly touched by their unwavering support.
The closer they got to the Control Tower, the more Secret Service Agents there were, talking quietly into their headsets as they walked by: Suits with guns.
John could, if he had wanted, have gone down that route. When his father had finally realised his determination to serve his country, he had tried to persuade him to work at the White House. To have his youngest son working for the President would certainly have ticked all of his prestigious boxes, but for John? He knew that was not his true calling. He was born to fly….
His own men still stood at their posts, who usually would have just nodded at his approach, as John had always preferred the more relaxed method of command. But not today: as he drew closer to each one, they instantly snapped smartly to attention and saluted him. He knew it wasn't just because he was in uniform. They were clearly showing their respect and support for him as their Military Commander.
They finally arrived in the Gate Room, and Major Lorne stepped forward, also dressed in his blues, who also saluted him sharply.
John returned the salute, and watched as his second in Command shifted uncomfortably where he stood.
"Sir…."
"Lorne."
"The men and I…well, we just want you to know, sir, that…" Lorne stopped, clearly feeling awkward.
John smiled sadly at him. "Thanks, Evan." He already knew that his men were already behind him, 100%.
Lorne let out an uneasy breath, and John nodded at him once, and then looked up at the Conference Room. He took a deep breath, partly to calm his energy, then squared his shoulders and started towards the stairs.
Teyla remained behind with Lorne, and watched as he purposefully walked up the steps.
As the city still remained under Lantean Lockdown, only those with the ATA Gene were able to operate the systems, so many of the Control Room technicians could do little but monitor the ancient displays. So naturally they all watched him as he made his way towards the Conference room, which was now surrounded by more Secret Service Agents.
Daniel, Rodney and Ronon stood waiting at the top of the stairs for him. Rodney looked anxious, Ronon merely nodded at him, and Daniel smiled, as if to offer some reassurance that everything would be alright.
"Good luck", said Daniel quietly.
John couldn't help but smile at him. The man had been such a constant support to him since this had all begun. "Thanks."
"Hayes is…a good man, John," Daniel added.
John knew, from all the SG1 mission reports he had read, that they had had a lot of involvement with President Hayes. Who, now in his second term of office, had known about and supported, the Stargate Programme for the last nine years.
John began to head towards the doors, but stopped just before they opened. He took one last look down at Teyla, who still stood with Lorne, watching him. She smiled and gave him a slight nod of reassurance. She would be there, waiting for him…no matter the outcome.
He pulled the front of his suit down to get rid of any creases, stood up straight as he squared his shoulders once again, and took one steadying deep breath.
He then stepped up to the doors, which instantly opened.
"Ah, Colonel Sheppard," said O'Neill, also dressed in his blues, who stood up from the table. "Come in."
The formality of the General's words set the tone of what was about to come, causing John's heart to skip a beat as he walked in, and the doors quickly closed behind him.
SGA SGA SGA SGA
John instantly stood to attention and executed his best, sharpest salute he possibly could for the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, who sat at the far end of the large mahogany table. Who, at first, did not look up as he appeared to be reading a file.
John waited.
"Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzpatrick Sheppard," said the President slowly, as he looked up.
"Yes sir, Mr President," replied John crisply.
President Henry Hayes looked at him measuringly. The expression on his face instantly reminded John of his father: frowning and judgemental. He felt his energy begin to stir, and took a slow deep breath in and out to calm himself. Now was not the time…
After a moment, the President spoke again.
"You already know Mr Woolsey and Lt General O'Neill, of course, who is here in his official capacity as Head of Homeworld Security." O'Neill sat on the President's left, and next to him was Richard Woolsey.
The President then gestured to the coloured man on his right, wearing the US Army Green Dress Uniform. "This is General Francis Maynard, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
From what Daniel had said Maynard was the man who had introduced the Stargate Programme to the President, all those years ago. So perhaps the man would be open to what he had to say…at least, John hoped that he would be.
"Sir," said John, instantly saluting him too.
"Colonel", replied the General quietly.
"Arthur Simms, Secretary of Defence," said the President, indicating the dark haired man that sat on the General's right.
Simms just stared at him, so John just nodded.
John had never been in a room with such powerful people before in his entire life, and that would have normally shaken him to the bone. But somehow the energy that flowed through him kept those feelings at bay, and he still felt calm: his purpose still clear.
John continued to stand rigidly to attention as the President looked back down at what he now realised must be his Personnel file.
"Well, I must say, Colonel, your record makes very…interesting reading."
John groaned inwardly, knowing he was about to get the official, painfully drawn out assessment of his entire military career...
"So, you went to Stanford University, and graduated with first class honours in Computational and Mathematical Engineering, and then went onto gain your Doctorate in Aeronautics and Astronautics."
The President took a slow drink from his mug. "Impressive. With qualifications such as these," he continued, now looking at him carefully, "you should have been working at NASA as a scientist by now. So why did you become a pilot?"
John suddenly had a flashback to that day, when General O'Neill had asked him the exact same question; the day he had discovered all about the Stargate Programme. He could have replied, 'I think people who don't want to fly are crazy'…, but thought better of it.
"I love to fly, sir."
"Mmm," replied the President thoughtfully, and glanced back down the file.
"Apache, Black Hawk, Cobra, F16s….After completing your Fixed-wing and Rotor Pilot training, you earned the rank of First Lieutenant. Your continued exceptional performance ensured your quick rise through the ranks."
The President continued to read slowly through the file.
"You attended your SERE training, and secured a place with the Special Operations Group, as a Special Ops Pilot, at which point you received your promotion to Major. You then participated in many highly covert operations across the world…"
Even though the President sounded impressed, John mentally braced himself.
Hayes looked up him, and took another slow drink before he spoke again, very slowly and deliberately. "Afghanistan was not the highlight of your career, was it, son?"
The sharp tone of the President's voice cut deeply, once again reminding John of his father. "No sir."
Hayes looked back down at the file, and continued to read on, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You received a black mark by going on an unsanctioned rescue mission in order to save the lives of three service men. But," the President's voice remained cutting, "as if you hadn't learnt your lesson the first time, you then decided to go on yet another unauthorized op, to rescue a…Captain Holland." He looked back up at him. "That particular mission…. was not successful …"
John's heart tightened at the mention and memory of his friend. "No sir."
Hayes leant forward in his chair, staring hard at him. "So, do you have a problem with authority, Colonel?"
John wasn't sure how he was supposed to respond to that without incriminating himself further.
"Well?" pressed Hayes further, whose expression once again reminding John of his own father and he felt his energy surge once again. He took a slow measured breath, pushing it back down, and then answered clearly.
"No sir."
"Clearly you do." Hayes looked back at the file. "In 2006, you stole a gate ship to undertake yet another unsanctioned rescue mission. After specifically being ordered to stand down by General Landry, you went ahead anyway to rescue Mr Woolsey and General O'Neill from the Replicators…." He looked up at him.
"Which, I for one, am rather pleased he did…sir," added O'Neill pointedly.
"Yes, I'm sure you were, Jack. But the point still remains that Colonel Sheppard has repeatedly shown tendencies of flouting the proper chain of command."
"Sir, with all due respect…" began O'Neill, but the President interrupted him.
"Yes, I know, Jack. We all know that you, too, had the same…tendencies, shall we say."
"Well, sir, that particular…tendency has saved Earth's ass on more than one occasion," interjected O'Neill once again. The President looked at him for a moment.
John was slightly taken aback at how familiar O'Neill was being with the President. They clearly had history, but even so…
John glanced across at Maynard, who was actually trying hard not to smile. Simms, however, just kept staring at him.
"The General is right, Mr President," added Woolsey respectfully. "If Colonel Sheppard and his team had not risked their lives to save us, the Replicators would certainly have made their way to Earth, and God knows what would have befallen us then…"
"Yes. Your achievements, Colonel, speak for themselves," said Hayes, looking squarely at John. "But, intermittent successes cannot excuse ongoing misconduct."
John remained silent.
Hayes continued to look at him for a moment, before he returned back to the file. "I see that, after pulling that final stunt in Afghanistan, it was only due to your previous exemplary conduct, as well as some rather…influential connections, that you were allowed to keep your rank as Major. You got off lightly with just a posting to McMurdo Air Force base."
John didn't need to voice his agreement. He knew he had been extremely lucky not to have been flung out of the Air Force all together, had it not been for the intervention of one very special person…
The President continued to look at the file, quietly sipping his drink, as he continued to flick over the pages.
John was still standing stiffly to attention, and it was beginning to make him feel incredibly uncomfortable, and not just because he hadn't held this position in such a long time. He just wasn't good at standing still, and with his ever stirring energy within him, he was beginning to have to fight hard to hold it.
As if the President had read his very thoughts, he looked up at him.
"Stand easy, Colonel."
John tried not to breathe his sigh of relief too loudly, and instantly changed his stance, placing his hands behind his back. As the President returned to the file, it did leave John to wonder whether he had actually, somehow, sent that thought to the President…could he, did he, do that?
The President then frowned slightly and then his eyebrows went up, as if he had read something that had surprised him. He looked back up, and his expression seemed to have softened slightly.
"I see you are the younger son of Patrick Sheppard, owner of PSI…"
John was rather startled at the sudden mention of his father.
"Yes, sir," replied John, somewhat hesitantly.
"He died from a heart attack last year, didn't he?"
John was even more surprised at him knowing that, but then the President was reading his Personnel file, although he certainly didn't remember updating anyone with that fact.
"Yes sir." John still couldn't see how or why this was relevant.
"My condolences to you, Colonel."
"Er, thank you…sir" replied John uncertainly.
The President looked at him for a moment. "I had met your father a few times over the years…"
Whilst this was news to John, it didn't surprise him. His father had made quite a few significant connections over the years; so of course, it made sense that he would have set his targets high, and that they didn't get much higher than the President of the United States…
"Very astute, intelligent business man, from what I remember…."
John wasn't quite sure what to say at this point, but felt it incredibly ironic, not to mention surreal, that here he was, probably about to be relieved of his commission at the very least, and his father would now be somehow included in the proceedings.
"From your qualifications, you have clearly inherited that intelligence. So," Hayes sat forward, "what in God's name would lead you to consistently and blatantly disregard what is expected of you?"
The President's tone of voice had once more hardened, and John was suddenly catapulted back in time, as the President uttered the very words his father had used on him on more than one occasion.
John knew that no response was required. It was a rhetorical question, geared to goad a reaction. Where his father had been concerned, it had. In this instance, he swallowed hard and remained silent.
He was right, as the President returned to read from his file.
"You were on your second tour of duty at McMurdo, when you came to the attention of Doctor Elizabeth Weir, who after discovering you had the rare Ancient gene, requested your inclusion to the Pegasus Expedition."
He stared more closely at the notes. "You scored the highest in the Chair Aptitude Tests, I see." He glanced at O'Neill. "Higher even than you, Jack."
O'Neill nodded, clearly not disputing it, or offering up his usual glib response.
It was clear that General O'Neill was here in the official capacity as Head of Homeworld Security, and not of the man who had called a halt to the work of the Area 51 personnel.
It would appear that they had already had that particular discussion.
John had not wanted the General's long serving career to suffer for his actions, so had asked him to lay the blame clearly at his feet. But they both knew the danger of adopting that approach; it would only work if the President accepted his apparent lineage, and therefore that of his claim to Atlantis. If not, it would be a Hearing for an insubordinate Colonel…
John could not tell which way this Hearing was going to go. At this point, it could go either way. So far, the President had just been going over his career in the Air Force, and his ability to follow orders. He had yet to really touch on his five year exploits in the Pegasus Galaxy, or that of his apparent lineage.
"You know, when I first heard about the Stargate Programme, aliens, and other worlds…I couldn't believe what I was hearing. But, over the last nine years I have come to realise that…anything's possible…But."
President Hayes suddenly snapped the file shut and tossed it onto the table as he leant back in his chair, and crossed his legs slowly as he stared at him.
John braced himself. Here it comes….
The President spoke slowly, regarding him carefully. "I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I get a phone call from General O'Neill, telling me that all work that I had sanctioned, had ceased immediately as the rightful owner of Atlantis was about to initiate some Ancient lockdown, and then take her home…"
John, once again, knew no response was required.
"So please, enlighten me as to how a 39 year old Colonel, of the United States Air Force, suddenly has a claim to an alien city over ten thousand years old?" asked Hayes incredulously.
Hayes was clearly now expecting an answer.
John swallowed, hoping his voice wouldn't waver. "It's…a long story, sir," he replied, rather relieved that he actually sounded a lot stronger than he thought he would.
The President sat forward and linked his fingers together on the table in front of him.
"Alright, Colonel, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I need to know more. So, you had better take a seat….and start from the top…"
John stared at him for a moment.
Finally, they had reached the point where he could begin to put forward his case as the Heir to the Legacy of Janus, and that the city of Atlantis was now rightfully his….
John carefully took out the chair at the end of the table, and sat down.
THIS was going to take some time…
SGA SGA SGA SGA
"TWO hours! How much LONGER are they gonna be in there?" exclaimed Rodney loudly, as he stopped his pacing to stare at the closed doors of the Conference Room.
They had all moved into Woolsey's office, so they could clearly see the doors from there. After a while, Major Lorne had left, leaving the four of them to continue their vigil.
Ronon was leaning against the wall, and rolled his eyes once again, but remained silent.
Daniel, who had decided to sit in Woolsey's chair, sighed heavily again as he rested his head back. "Well, I've never been involved in a Military Hearing before, but considering what else they have to discuss, I would say it's gonna take a while, Rodney," he replied slowly.
"Well, that's why WE should be in there, to help…to explain the more complex issues…" Rodney took up his pacing once again. Which was quite a feat in itself, as the office was quite small.
Daniel knew that the man was reaching. Rodney just wanted in on that meeting, to be there to support his friend, and not because he thought John was incapable of explaining the complexity of the situation. In fact, Daniel couldn't think of anyone else more qualified to explain what was going on than John.
Daniel glanced over at Teyla, who now had her back to them, and stood looking out of the windows towards the Stargate, and of the desert beyond.
Now he knew that they had finally recognised their love for each other, he could only imagine what she must be going through right now: relieved to finally be going home, but worried for what it would mean for John.
He glanced at Ronon, who had been watching him look at Teyla, and seemed to know exactly what he had been thinking, as he nodded briefly.
"Hey, McKay," said Ronon gruffly, and Rodney stopped his pacing to look at him. "Wanna get something to eat?"
Daniel smiled, pleasantly surprised at how astute the big warrior was. But then, there always was more to the silent types.
Predictably Rodney was of course keen to get something to eat.
"Do you want me to…bring you anything back?" asked Rodney as he looked at Teyla and Daniel.
Teyla just shook her head, clearly not hungry and Daniel replied that he was fine.
So, after making them both promise to contact them the moment John came out, Ronon and Rodney headed off towards the mess hall. Both of them glanced at the closed doors of the Conference room as they walked passed, the Secret Service men stared at them closely, and Ronon, who towered over them, glared menacingly back.
Now that they were alone, Daniel got up, and wandered over to stand beside Teyla, who looked up to give him a small smile, but her eyes told him how she really felt.
"How you holding up?" he asked her gently.
"I…" she frowned a little, as though she instantly understood his true meaning. He smiled reassuringly at her, but she looked away.
"Hey, it's ok" he murmured quietly. "I won't…tell anyone."
She looked hesitantly back up at him. "You…know? Surely it isn't…"
"No," he replied gently, still smiling. "You two are good…I mean, if I hadn't had years watching two certain members of my team do exactly the same as you two do…I wouldn't have guessed it either."
She gave him a small, somewhat shy and uncertain smile. "We have not…we…"
He watched as the smile began to fade, and she once more looked away.
"Teyla," he reached out rather hesitantly to place his hand on her shoulder. "I am not judging you, either of you."
She looked back uncertainly at him, as he continued softly.
"A person can lead their entire life, not knowing what it is to truly love, and to be loved. You may only get one chance, one small window of opportunity, to be with that one person that is your soul mate…" Daniel faded out, as thoughts of his dead wife, Sha're, came flooding back.
Teyla sensed his sudden sadness, and touched his arm gently, which brought him instantly back to the moment, and smiled sorrowfully at her. "Everyone deserves to be happy, Teyla. And no one deserves it more than you and John. I, for one, am glad he isn't alone anymore…"
That made her smile back for a moment, but quickly broke eye contact, staring once more towards the closed doors of the Conference Room. "We have not made it…public knowledge yet. Only Ronon knows, but he…guessed."
"Yeah," Daniel replied, his smile now lighter. "The silent ones always seem to know far more than they let on."
Teyla seemed to relax slightly, and didn't hold back a heavy, heartfelt sigh. "How much longer do you think they will be?"
Daniel stepped back and leant against Woolsey's desk. "Who knows? There's a lot to explain…"
"Indeed" she replied, and Daniel couldn't help but grin.
Teyla sighed deeply again and wrapped her arms around herself, as if she was holding herself together as she continued to look at the doors.
"Have faith, Teyla…" Daniel said softly.
SGA SGA SGA SGA
"Show me."
The moment of truth had finally arrived.
John reached inside his jacket, thought OFF, and pulled out the Rod of Janus, placing it carefully on the table.
The President, General Maynard, and Simms all slowly rose out of their seats to get a closer look.
"Is it safe?" asked Maynard hesitantly.
"Yes, sir," replied John respectfully.
"It looks like crystal," said Simms, who looked up at John. "Is it?"
"Yes sir. The Ancients used crystal technology for various forms of their technology. They can be used as control crystals, for power generation, or for holding vast amounts of data."
"So, what does this do?" asked Maynard. "Is it a weapon?"
John inwardly cringed. Understandably, the military were always looking for the next threat, and that they would instantly think of it as a weapon.
"It has several functions, sir, but its main purpose is as a…data device, better known as a Repository of Knowledge."
Maynard obviously wasn't comfortable with John's rather ambiguous response, but President Hayes spoke up, looking quickly at O'Neill. "Isn't that the device that almost killed you twice?"
John was impressed at the President's knowledge.
O'Neill grimaced. "Yep, that's the one."
Hayes looked back at the device. "It seems so…much smaller than I thought it would be." He then regarded John more closely. "So, you going to start speaking in an alien language and displaying super human intellect?"
O'Neill smirked. "Oh I'd say that is a definite yes…Mr President."
Maynard sat forward in his chair. "So Colonel, how come you can retain all the information without it killing you?" Clearly the General was also familiar with the device.
"Sir, my DNA…" John paused, not completely sure how to explain it… "Janus built in certain safe guards that will only allow me to access certain levels of the database at a time."
"I see," said Hayes, stroking his chin slowly. "So, how much of the database have you…currently got access to?"
"I have only connected to the device fully twice, sir, so…not much at this point."
"I see…" said Hayes again. "What kind of information have you been given so far?"
John really didn't want to go into that; At least, not yet anyway. Without knowing which way this Hearing was going to go, he didn't want to reveal too much. So he decided to keep the details simple, and unthreatening…
"Mainly about the city itself, sir: ways of reconfiguring the power distribution for maximum efficiency, to enable the systems to work more effectively…" John decided to leave out the parts about the Hyperdrive, Propulsion systems and Stardrive, not to mention the weapons and shields.
All the work he had tirelessly been working on throughout the night and into the morning, to get her ready for the flight home; a fact that his body was beginning to remind him very clearly about…
"Does it….hurt?" asked Maynard, looking back at the device.
John looked at him for a moment. "It…can do sir."
"It looks so harmless at the moment," commented Maynard, still staring at it.
"It isn't switched on, is it?" asked the President abruptly.
John was taken aback once again. "No sir, it isn't."
"Is it safe to turn it on?" asked Simms, who eyed him suspiciously.
"Yes sir."
"Well, go ahead. Turn it on…" ordered Hayes, gesturing at the device with a wave of his hand.
John took a slow steady breath and thought ON, and it instantly responded, with its brilliant blue glow lighting up the entire room.
"Sweet!" said O'Neill appreciatively, who hadn't as yet seen the device in action.
"Can…anyone use it?" asked Maynard carefully, still mesmerised by the bright shining object on the table.
"No sir. It is linked to work with my DNA only."
The President smirked at O'Neill. "Too bad for you, hey, Jack?"
"Oh, I don't know, sir, I think I'm fine with that. Two downloads to my head is quite enough for one life time," replied O'Neill, leaning back in his chair.
General Maynard looked at John carefully. "So, how does it work, Colonel?"
Again, John didn't fell comfortable explaining the intricacies of the device, but knew that they needed to see it do something…something that wouldn't make them feel threatened.
John looked at the President, questioningly. "May I, sir?"
"Go ahead, Colonel," replied Hayes, leaning his elbows against the arms of his chair, resting his fingertips of both hands together.
John reached out, and picked it up, thought CONNECT, and it immediately began to 'sing'.
"Well, I'll be damned…" murmured Hayes quietly.
John could feel the Rod begin to warm up in his hand, as his energy began to connect to that of the device. The warmth tingled, like a low electrical current, which wasn't unpleasant; just strange.
He could feel it calling to him, just like everything else Ancient always had done. Only the calling was now far stronger, louder, begging him to connect more deeply, for their energies to join once more.
John had not linked with it since Benedict had completed his transformation last night, and it definitely felt much easier, smoother…
The warmth began to build, and he felt his energy instantly respond, connecting, binding them together. It was like a surge of adrenaline, and he could feel his heart rate pick up as the power grew stronger…and stronger…drawing him in, like a moth to a flame.
"Sheppard, you ok?" O'Neill's concerned, though somewhat distant voice broke through his awareness, causing him to realise just how deep he had just gone, and gasped a little as he mentally eased himself back. He then looked up.
"Oh my God!" whispered the President incredulously, as he stared wide eyed at him, as did the others.
For a moment, John wasn't sure what had happened for them to look at him in such a way. Then he suddenly realised that, once again, his eyes must now be glowing…he just couldn't quite get over that fact as they certainly didn't feel any different.
"Sorry sir," and closed his eyes, forcing his energy back down inside, as well as ordering the energy of the Rod to back off. He slowly opened his eyes and looked back up, hoping that the glow had now gone. The President and the others physically relaxed in their seats; indicating that it had worked.
"THAT is too much like a Goa'uld for my liking, Jack," said Hayes, as he continued to look at John warily.
"Don't worry sir," O'Neill replied, rather upbeat, but still staring at John as he did so, "I can assure you that he isn't one of those…"
"Well, that's very good to hear. Still, it is rather…unsettling to say the least." The President leant forward. "What was it doing?"
"It was trying to…connect to my…energy, sir," replied John, rather awkwardly.
"Your energy. You ascended energy?" clarified Maynard.
John shifted slightly in his chair. The particulars of his transformation were still very much unknown to him. "Yes sir."
"So, you have retained some of your ascended powers then?" asked Simms.
"I…it would appear so, sir."
"You don't know?" asked Maynard, somewhat pointedly.
"Not…exactly sir, no."
"But you clearly do have…some?" Simms continued to press the point.
John grimaced, suddenly knowing what was coming. "Yes sir."
"Like what?" asked Simms, frowning hard at him.
John was not going to list them, mainly because they would see nothing but the threat, but also because he wasn't entirely sure himself yet.
This was also the moment that would certainly be earning him a one way ticket to 'Test Lab Room 101'…but John knew he had to provide them undisputable evidence that he…was no longer the man he once was.
Besides the 'sharing' experience he had had with Teyla, and the Telepathy, which he still wasn't sure of…there was only one that he knew to be true.
He placed the Rod carefully back down on the table, and thought OFF, and it responded instantly. He then took a deep, calming breath, and then cleared his mind of all thought.
Without even trying to figure out just how he would do it, John stared at the Rod, and then thought UP.
In an instant, the Rod flew rapidly up into the air, with such speed that it caused everyone to recoil in their chairs.
Oops, thought John, too fast…
As the Rod continued to hover in the air, glowing once again, everyone looked back to stare hard at John.
He could feel their sudden uncertainty, their concern and their wariness towards him, and he knew what they were thinking: was he dangerous? Was John Sheppard now to be considered a threat?
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"Are you sure you don't want to get something to eat, or check on Torren perhaps?" asked Daniel gently.
Teyla gave him a tired smile. "Thank you for your concern, Daniel. But I am not hungry, and I am sure that Torren is perfectly fine with Jennifer…"
Daniel understood what she really meant: that she would not leave this spot until John came back out of the room. He nodded and the silence return once more, as Teyla turned back to stare at the doors.
Daniel wandered over to look down at the Gate Room below. It was then he noticed Doctor Beckett hurriedly making his way up the stairs towards them.
"Doctor Beckett," said Daniel, smiling kindly at him as he entered the office.
The doctor looked anxiously at each of them. "Doctor Jackson, Teyla. Any news yet?" He looked at Teyla as he asked the question.
She shook her head sadly, and Carson grimaced. "How long have they been in there?"
Daniel checked his watch. "It's coming up to almost 3 hours now."
"Dear God," murmured Carson.
Movement in the Gate Room suddenly caught Daniel's eye. "Oh my…" was all that was needed from Daniel to make the others turn to look.
Major Lorne had arrived in the Gate Room, and was leading a team of marines towards the stairs. As they began to walk up the steps they saw the marines were in fact guarding a prisoner: none other than Brother Benedict himself.
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John knew that, if he was to succeed, he would have to do more than convince them of his Ascended powers. He would also have to prove the existence of the Legacy of Janus, and of his title as Heir.
For that, there was only one way to truly show the President. He would have to meet Brother Benedict.
Surprisingly the President had agreed more readily than John had expected, and General O'Neill had ordered Major Lorne to bring the man from the Brig.
As they waited, John was beginning to feel utterly exhausted. Even with his ascended energy, his whole body now ached, and his head was pounding. It wasn't just that he had not slept in over 48 hours; it was also the seemingly volatile nature of his energies that continued to surge and ebb, like the waves of the sea…and the constant battle to keep it in check was utterly draining.
John suddenly knew that Brother Benedict was close. Similar to the feeling you got when you're being watched, his energy just seemed to amplify the sensation ten fold. It was rather uncomfortable and so he stood up slowly, and stepped away from the chair just as the doors opened.
John looked at the Brother as he entered, who bowed his head graciously towards him. Even though the Athosians had been doing it to him for years, this somehow felt different, like he was some kind of royalty or something.
John turned back to face the President as Benedict took his place beside him.
"Mr President Sir, this is Brother Benedict, Guardian of the Legacy of Janus."
Benedict inclined his head respectfully towards him.
Inglese, Benedetto, per favore, thought John silently.
"It is honour to meet you, President Hayes of United Americas," said Benedict, in his heavily accented English.
"Brother Benedict," replied the President respectfully. Even though John had not actually had the chance to introduce the President properly, Benedict had once again shown his ability to 'know'…
But more than anything, John was once more impressed at how calmly the President was dealing with a suspected alien. He looked like he was just dealing with another politician. But then, if memory served him correctly, the man had gone head to head with both Baal and Anubis…
"So," began the President slowly, "you are the Guardian of this Legacy?"
Benedict bowed his head graciously once again. "That is one of my duties, si"
"Colonel Sheppard tells me that…"began the President, but Benedict instantly spoke, interrupting him.
"The Heir has told you of tests, and that we did not create. Merely observed" said Benedict.
"Yes." The President frowned slightly, but didn't seem to be insulted by the interruption.
"So, you understand he is now Heir to Legacy of Janus, si?"
"Well," replied Hayes, shifting slightly in his chair as he slowly spoke again. "I understand that an Ancient scientist, by the name of Janus, decided to leave his entire legacy to his…descendant. I also understand that Colonel Sheppard died, and that his Ancient gene enabled him evolve into a higher being, only to return with…some of his powers…"
Benedict inclined his head slowly in acknowledgement.
President Hayes now sat forward, leaning his elbows on the table, and stared intently at the monk. "What I don't understand is…why John Sheppard? Why did you choose him to be this…Heir?"
"I no choose. He is true descendant of Janus…" replied Benedict simply.
"How do you know that?" pressed Hayes, cutting to the chase.
"His DNA, results of tests, his very lineage…all prove to be true."
"But, by the Colonel's own admission, you have manipulated his DNA…" added Simms accusingly.
"His Ancient gene, although strong, had been soffocato, so needed to be released, in order for Heir to be set free…"
Hayes frowned slightly, and repeated the Italian word, clearly not understanding what it meant.
"Soffocato means 'suffocated' in Italian…sir," John instantly translated for him, though cringed inwardly as he said the word out loud.
"Yeah, so you say," said Simms, rather sarcastically, staring hard at Benedict. "Why should we believe you? We don't even know who you are…"
The monk's gaze fell on him, and the tone of his voice hardened. "Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance…"
Silence fell for a moment, before Maynard asked carefully, "Why now?"
Benedict looked slowly across at the General, who continued to speak.
"Colonel Sheppard has been in the Pegasus Galaxy for over five years. Why leave it until he is back on Earth before you decided to make his…lineage known?"
Benedict blinked his white eyes at him for a moment before he replied.
"No time to complete final task before Atlantis came to aid of Earth."
"Yes, well," replied Hayes slowly, looking at Woolsey for a moment. "For that we are grateful…"
"But now it is time. The Heir must go back…" murmured Benedict, almost prophetically.
"Go back? Go back where?" asked O'Neill, frowning slightly.
Brother Benedict looked meaningfully at O'Neill. "Hic qua videeum"
General O'Neill started at that. He didn't remember much of the Ancient language, but those words somehow seemed to have ingrained themselves into his memory. "The Place of our Legacy…."
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Four hours after John had gone into the Hearing, the group in Woolsey's office had grown quite considerably.
Ronon and Rodney had long since returned from their meal, and now sat on the long sofa, as Rodney continued to talk to Carson.
The afternoon was beginning to stretch into the evening, and the setting sun now streamed through the large Gate Room windows, casting their beautiful multi coloured light across the whole area.
Daniel couldn't help but think how strangely magical, almost ethereal, everything now looked. It was as though the Ascended themselves were watching….
Daniel continued to keep a close eye on Teyla, as she was becoming more and more uneasy as the time continued to drag painfully on. He glanced over at Ronon, who was once again watching her intently. Daniel was about to say something to him, but at that very same moment Ronon made his move.
He walked quietly over to Teyla, who was still standing by the office door, staring at the Conference Room, with her arms wrapped around herself. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, causing her to start slightly and look up at him. They looked at each other for a moment, but no words were spoken, and she slowly reached up to cover his hand with her own.
At that very moment, the doors of the Conference Room suddenly began to open.
They could see John, who was closest to the doors, come out with Brother Benedict at his side. Major Lorne approached them immediately and the entire Control Room stopped to watch.
They saw John speak briefly to Lorne, who gestured for the marines to step forward. John then looked at the Brother for a moment, who inclined his head to him, and then the marines quickly surrounded the monk before they began to make their way down the stairs, and back towards the Brig.
John then looked up and saw them through the glass.
They could all see how drained John now looked. Over four hours of intense scrutiny would do that to any man, thought Daniel, no matter who you were… and he knew first hand how tiring an enquiry could be. He had not only attended many in his time, he'd also been the subject of a few as well. And from what Rodney had said John had done to the city's systems overnight, he couldn't have slept either.
But, somehow Daniel felt that there was more to it than that. It had not been 24 hours since Benedict had completed John's transformation. So was John's energy affecting him again? Were there changes still going on?
John slowly made his way across the walkway towards them. The doors opened as he approached, and he gave them a weary smile.
"Hey guys," John said tiredly.
"What did they say?" asked Rodney, in his usual velocity. "Did they believe you? Are they going to take further action? What about your position? Are they going to let you take Atlantis back?"
John looked calmly at his friend, and then at the others, his eyes resting on Teyla as he spoke. "It's too early to say."
"After FOUR hours?" exclaimed Rodney loudly. "It can't be that hard for them to figure it out, surely?"
"What happens now?" asked Daniel gently.
"They are taking a short recess, and then they will make their decision." John now sounded completely drained.
"How long is THAT gonna take?!" said Rodney exasperatedly.
"As long as it takes, Rodney," John's slow reply finally hit home with Rodney, who instantly looked embarrassed, clearly having not thought how it would have been for his friend, who was rubbing his forehead hard as if he had a headache.
"John?" said Teyla gently, instantly picking up his discomfort and moved to his side.
"Soffocato" murmured John quietly, as he quickly pulled loose his tie andundid the buttons of his uniform jacket.
Teyla looked quickly at Daniel, who frowned slightly. Yes, something was clearly wrong.
"Let's get outta here" said John, and almost bolted out the door. They all exchanged worried glances, and then shot off after him.
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Daniel instantly recognised where they were heading to: John was leading them to the same balcony that he taken Teyla, where they had finally declared their love for each other.
Perhaps, thought Daniel poignantly, now that John was apparently feeling 'suffocated'; he was somehow drawn to the place, as though he had wanted to recapture that level of true peace once more.
Daniel watched as John glanced at Teyla, smiling slightly, then looked away to rub his forehead once more.
But Teyla could not help but watch him intently as John answered each of their questions with brief, almost non committal answers. She understood; he did not want to raise their hopes too high, just in case…
He also looked exhausted, but it was definitely more than that. He would not meet her gaze for long, and she knew it wasn't just to maintain their secret. He had that haunted, pained look in his eyes again. But it was neither the time, nor the place, to pursue the matter further. She did, however, look over at Daniel, who appeared to be sharing her concerns.
Daniel continued to assess John's state, and was becoming more convinced that there was more going on here. Daniel quickly brought the line of questions to an end, and suggested that they all gave John some space. John looked at him gratefully, who then promptly apologised to his friends, which of course, they all said was completely unnecessary.
Daniel asked John if he needed anything to eat or drink, to which he declined with a weary shake of his head. Then the group slowly fell into a strange silence as they stood quietly with him.
All evidence had supposedly been given, and now the jury was out. All they could do was to wait for their verdict.
John walked slowly to stand against the railing as he stared out across the desert.
Teyla watched him go and then wandered over to stand beside him, and he glanced at her, trying to smile. Usually he would have tried to reassure her…only this time, he didn't say a word.
"Colonel Sheppard, please come to the Conference Room immediately, Colonel Sheppard," the sharp order came across the loudspeaker, causing them all to start and look at him.
John sighed heavily, fixed his tie, did his jacket up, and once more pulled his jacket straight of any creases.
Teyla couldn't help herself; she reached up and smoothed down a crease she pretended that was there on his shoulder, holding her hand there for a moment as he looked at her. Yes, there was definitely pain in his eyes, though she couldn't tell if it was actually physical or mental…or both.
"Good luck…" she whispered, but she knew he understood her true meaning…that she loved him with all her heart and she would be there for him, no matter what the outcome.
In a rare gesture of tenderness, as though it was just the two of them standing on the balcony, he reached up and stroked her cheek, his hand hovering there for a moment before he lowered it again. He then turned to look at his friends.
"Ok," he said, his voice sounding devoid of all emotion. "Let's go see what they've decided…"
With that, they all accompanied him back towards the Conference Room, and watched him once more enter, and the doors closed once more behind him.
They returned back to the office, to take up their vigil once more.
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The tension in the Woolsey's office was palpable.
Time seemed to stand still for all of them, but it was not quite an hour before the doors opened once more.
They all stood up and moved closer to the window to see inside the room. They could clearly see John saluting, who then turned sharply on his heel, and marched out of the room and headed straight for them.
His face was a mask; completely devoid of all emotion and utterly unreadable.
"Have they made their decision? Daniel asked.
"Yes."
To be continued….
Post script:
I know, REALLY big cliff hanger! But this chapter was getting way too long….
Just a few things to let you know about:
I have made up John's middle name and I felt Fitzpatrick worked well with his father's name.
General Jack O'Neill is actually now a Lt General, after being promoted shortly after he became head of Homeworld Security. In his position, he officially leads all US Stargate related operations on Earth.
John Simms was actually Secretary of Defence in 1999 (SG1: Fairgame), so I decided to keep him in post.
John was born 14 June 1970 – this is set in 2009 – makes him 39.
John's Military background was a hard one to piece together. But he was indeed a Major in Afghanistan. The Special Operations Group are part of the Air Force Special Tactics Group, who are probably the most unknown special ops in the military, but one of the most elite. These guys are the people who rescue the Navy Seals when they need help.
As always, please let me know what you think…