CHAPTER 25 – BATTLE PLANS

The gangs all here. That somewhat irreverent thought entered her mind when she and John found themselves the last ones arriving for the meeting in the laboratory that was hidden in the bowels of one the Lantian towers. Her fingers itched to take her camera and capture the expressions on the faces of the people in that secret room. The dark play of shadows against the walls, eerie and somehow even more so, given the clandestine reason that they were meeting down here. The expressions ranged from the casually dark - Ronon's only facial movement was the restless roll of his eyes as he took in every corner of that gloomy laboratory - to the somber. Teyla's face was serious and her eyes were slightly unfocused making Nicole wonder where she had to mentally pull herself out of. Rodney's showed impatience and it was his face that Nicole found the most fascinating, longing to capture his restless energy and self absorption on camera. Sam's face did not warrant much study on Nicole's part. She kept a professional front most times and Nicole wondered if the camera would capture the woman that hid beneath that calm, professional exterior. Perhaps one day Sam would allow her to try.

The sheaf of papers in Sam's hands rattled impatiently and John settled himself negligently against a counter, while Nicole took the seat near where he rested.

"General O'Neill's been busy, boys and girls. This?" She held up the sheaf of paper. "This is the result of hours of searching, trolling through public and closed records and calling in more favours than he probably had to start with. The result? We're getting close to the barrier they're keeping tight around them. Close, but not there yet. I can tell you this much... and this made for some interesting reading... it's all about the money and what they want to do with it. Weapons. Of mass destruction. They want to channel the funds earmarked for the stargate programme, into a new weapons platform programme that whispers around Washington have been picking up. On strictly unofficial channels. All roads lead back to Rome... but the doors are closed for now and Jack's trying his best, but coming up against more brick walls that anything. He'll keep trying. We know the why... the who is proving to be the difficult part. As we knew it would be. Questions?"

Her tall body leant back against the wall, eyes bright and alert as she watched the faces around the room, read the understanding she saw there. Ronon and Teyla did not need an earth background to understand the implications of what she had said. Weapons of mass destruction on any world heralded disaster.

"Well... crap. The day just went from bad to worse..." John grunted this response and pushed himself away from the counter. "So, by exposing the stargate to the public they hope to shut down the funding we receive for this, and other space orientated projects? That's the gist of it?"

Sam nodded, watching him carefully, knowing that he would make the connection.

"The President know about this?"

"Not that Jack can ascertain. He does know this. The group is comprised of multi national 'secret' leaders. And some military personnel. High ranking military, who are acting as advisors for the weapons platform. So we're talking global conspiracy... not just the good old USA. That makes this a whole lot harder."

"That would be an understatement Sam... more to the point, it makes it damn near impossible to shut down. If many countries are involved, then just how sanctioned is it? And who do they have in their no doubt very deep pockets. Those not on the payroll, will be blackmailed, such as Nicole here. And that brings us to our next item on the agenda. Nic? It's time to tell us exactly what went down last night. I gave you your space today, but we need to know what's at stake. Ok?"

She sighed, knowing that it would come to this and the knowing wasn't going to make this any easier. She began from the moment she was roughly grabbed as she exited the bathroom and tried to ignore the growing anger that John did not even try to hide. Her eyes flickered constantly to his hands, where his fist - resting lightly against his muscular thigh, began to clench and unclench.

"When I find that bastard, he'll feel my hands around his throat... I promise you that much." John choked out his response, his fist now a permanent shape at the end of his arm and he tapped it none too lightly against his thigh in a rhythmic pattern that Nicole found herself drawn to. Reaching out she put her hand over his tense one, and she felt it still momentarily under the pressure of her own hand and she heard him take a deep breath.

"A month?" he continued. "I'm surprised they gave you that long. That means something... that time frame. Something must be going down... maybe a decision is being made or a big weapons deal comes onto the board. Take that back to the General, Sam... factor in the time frame and maybe with his ear to the ground in Washington... you know how rumours fly in that city."

"Onto it John... and Nicole? I've already got cover for your family. I suspected they would use that as a threat and your parents and brother are under discreet guard, and if necessary, we'll take them in and hide them for a while."

Nicole was restless and pushing herself away from the chair she turned to Sam. "Maybe I should go back to earth. Make sure... they are ok. If anything happens to them because of me... I couldn't live with myself. Also, Ben's parents... I want them protected also."

John's voice was adamant. "You can't go back to earth. Not gonna happen. You have to stay here and appear to be doing exactly as they asked. Stick to the agenda and give them no reason to doubt you. Your safety is paramount. We've got a month to smoke them out. You're safer here, than on earth."

Rodney had been silent up until now, occasionally flicking his hands across the keyboard of his hand held computer, but Nicole knew that he was doing some research of his own. He pulled his gaze upward now and she saw sympathy in his eyes as he first looked at her, then addressed John.

"What can I do Sheppard?"

So she's gotten under your skin too, Rodney... John knew that Rodney was generally self centred and focused on his own problems and often oblivious to anyone elses. The very fact that he was offering to do his part was testiment to the fact that she was ok in his books and John mentally rose the sometimes taciturn scientist up a notch in his estimation.

"I want to find that bastard who took her last night. He may only be a small player, but if I can get him alone in a cell for an hour... I'll have the information I need." Steel laced his voice now and Nicole gave a small shiver. He wore the face of the soldier now, hard and a little cold and she was not sure that she liked this side of the man. But knew that it was an integral part of who he was and if she wanted to spend any time with him and even entertain thoughts of being a part of his life in any way, she would have to accept this side.

"Rodney, you're like a dog with a bone. Find him. Go through all the personnel files, again and again if you have to. He's here in the city somewhere, watching her. He may be flying under the radar at the moment, but the instant he raises his head, I want you onto him. You up for that, Rodney?"

Happy to have something to do, the scientist nodded and sat back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "His full personnel file is likely blocked and we'll only be able to see what he wants us to see. Want me to try out one of my new programmes... a little back door trick I've been working on."

"Do whatever you need to Rodney, and maybe best if we aren't privy to the methods you use... the same applies to you, John. If you find this guy and 'question' him - then I don't want to know... officially. If you get my drift..."

"Loud and clear Sam."

"Give me an hour with him Sheppard..." The big man finally spoke up and the others looked at him in alarm. Ronon's voice was laced with menance and fascinated, Nicole stared into his dark eyes and he looked back at her, unblinking.

They'll do this for me! It was a humbling thought and she wondered again at the comraderie she found in that room this night, this team spirit that had never been a part of her life, either personally or professionally. What a wonderful liberating feeling to lay it all out for others to sort through and take a piece of. No longer needing to hold all the cards and make all the decisions.

"You get the second hour Ronon... the first hour is mine. Teyla? I need you to talk to your people. See if they saw anything last night. A man holding a pretty woman by the arm, tightly. Someone must have seen something... anything."

She nodded, happy to have a task to complete. And this was the note that concluded the meeting, heralded by Sam pushing away from the wall and laying a gentle hand on Nicole's shoulder as she moved past her.

"It may seem an insurmountable barrier right now, but believe me Nicole. We've seen worse, and we've been up against nastier enemies than these... wait until you meet the Wraith... Humanity is all it's forms is preferable to sitting down to lunch with the Wraith."

Rodney's parting comment brought a smile to Nicole's face.

"Yeah... especially when you ARE the lunch..."