I do not own Stargate, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, nor do I own any of its characters. I make no profit off this story excepting in my own personal pleasure of writing it. This is set AU after the end of Season Five of Stargate Atlantis. It completely disregards the Legacy book series, so please no flames that it's ignoring those. Also a few characters may go a bit OOC because I feel like it. If you don't like it, don't read it.

AN: Sorry for the delay, I got a bit of writers block with this chapter.

Chapter 23: A Political Dance

The next few weeks were a flurry of activity in which John felt he got next to no sleep. He alternated feedings with Todd for Fianna, but she needed to eat far more frequently than a human baby did. Jennifer noticed John losing weight too, due the feeding, something he hadn't anticipated, and thus, he found himself being forced to eat more meals to compensate for the nutrients that went to Fianna rather than him. Jennifer also prohibited him from eating any fish or shellfish, as it was a known food that Wraithkin couldn't handle and there was a risk that Fianna's body wouldn't take it well, even in milk form. That wasn't too difficult, since John found himself craving the high nutrient, high calorie foods that the Wraithkin favored anyway.

It was lucky that there was so many fat, herbivorous wildlife on the mainland that had delicious tasting meat. The Wraithkin required protein rich diets and John found he needed to same while breastfeeding his daughter. On top of all that, John spent massive amounts of time working with the Wraithkin Queens. John and Todd had taken turns alternating who took Fianna for the day, the other pumping their milk to supplement the other's and dropping it off at regular intervals. Any extra milk, which there did end up being some every few days, went directly to the NICU for the Wraithkin preemies.

The Queens didn't bat an eye when John breastfed Fianna during their meetings, to his relief. In fact, they gave him nods of approval. The little portable bassinet Rikki had made was fantastic because it was self-rocking. Todd's body had, as was expected for a Wraith or Wraithkin carrier, snapped back to its pre-baby form, to Vala and Sam's annoyance and jealousy. That said, they could use all the advantages that were available when caring for their daughter. John began to suspect that, in addition to the chemical created to protect the Carrier's mind and strengthening the sire, the bond was also for allowing them to communicate when they were too exhausted to vocalize things because the baby was draining them of energy, both figuratively and literally, considering the amount of calories she sucked from John each day. It was also abundantly clear why both partners in a bond lactated. Their babies required way too much milk to be satisfied with just one parent feeding them.

The oddest part of all of it was that John found himself being given deferential treatment from the Queens. He could only guess at it being that Bitterwind being the primary of the hive alliance of Wraithkin and his technically being her son-in-law. It was the only explanation he could reasonably come up with. Still, if it meant they took his advice to heart about making 'reparations' than he would take what he could get.

The morning of the official first summit of the Interplanetary Coalition of Pegasus saw John in his new military uniform along with the other SpecOps personnel. The patches had been modified as well. Where once there was a patch for the flags of home nations and one for the expedition, there was now a patch for Atlantis and one for SpecOps. The SpecOps patch was a simple design of a lightsaber crossed with a blaster. The badge for all other military personnel was the old stylized A that the SGC had once had for their uniforms of program members. It was a marker that what they fought for was to ensure what had happened to their homeworld would never occur again.

Jack stood next to John with his new uniform baring that patch. On John's other side was Todd, with Bitterwind and Silverclaw on his other side. While they had still been in the planning phase, Dr. Torres had made a point of informing every planet attending that there would be Wraithkin present, both at the summit and within the city at large. That said, Bitterwind and Todd agreed that it would be wise to limit the number that participated in the summit to the three of them and John. Teyla and Ronon were technically going to be running security with some other Wraithkin among those who were part of the team, but none of them were going to be participating in discussions.

John and the others watched from the balcony over the stargate as delegation after delegation arrived, each planet was allowed to send parties of up to five. There were plenty of familiar faces. Ladon who came with four guards. The group from M7G-677, aka Neverland, sent the obvious options of Keras, Aries, and Neleus along with the less obvious options of Cleo and Casta. The two youths had acted as guides for Rodney on their first trip to the planet, however they were also only twelve now, meaning they were likely to be the youngest participants of the summit. John just hoped that they were smart enough to realize how much they would stand out as it was and didn't do anything compromising. Keras, Aries, and Neleus were all rather young, by most of the delegates' standards, but Keras and Aries were both at least old enough to not cause too much discomfort.

The Daganians had unsurprisingly sent Allina and Sanir along with three other members of the priesthood that John recognized by sight, though not name. The group pointedly bowed to John's group, making him a little uncomfortable. Still, he gave a nod of greeting as they were led to the transporters by a designated guide. That those guides were also the trainees of SpecOps, but the young ones who had work to do before being fully fledged members was intentional. Even the weakest of his trainees could handle a Genii fighter, much less anyone else, like the delegation from M4D-058, the world that had had accidental interference from John and Rodney playing what they thought was a game due to the Ancients' stupid experiments.

In the scramble to get everyone protected, they had lowered the space gate to the planet for the people, set them up with a manufactured DHD, and the standard shields. The people of the world had been grateful for the opportunity to trade with other worlds, though they were careful, after their prior experience with off-worlders. Still, Baden and Nola were apparently eager to settle into the more active Coalition. The pair had opted to come with a single aid each from their small nations and they waved in passing as Jinto led them from the gate room.

"You sure are popular," Jack commented.

"That comes with being the head of a first contact team," John shrugged. "I'm sure you got just as many pleased greetings whenever you guys went somewhere that you'd been before."

"From the Asgard, sure. Anywhere else? Not so much. Daniel was mister popularity. Women threw themselves at his feet. Unas painted his face blue. I swear, he may have been the outcast back on Earth, but in the rest of the galaxy, Danny was a rock star. Everyone wanted a piece of him," Jack responded dead-pan.

"Why would females throw themselves at Dr. Jackson's feet?" Silverclaw asked in curiosity. John had seen her eying the Mitchell-Jackson-Mal Doran group and with plenty of curiosity. He really hoped that she didn't want a piece of Mitchell or Jackson. Vala would get feisty and now that she wasn't pregnant anymore, she was more than up to her old antics. "And why would an Unas paint his face blue?"

"The first one is an expression. It means that women find him attractive and were desperate to engage in intercourse with him. The second one is a ritual that the Unas perform meaning that they recognize an outsider as part of their tribe," John explained.

Jack just gave bother Queens an incredulous look, "I get not knowing the Unas thing, but how did you not learn some human phrases by now? It's been months of interacting with us now."

"We are not typically discussing topics of intercourse when we are on Lantea, Gen. O'Neill. As you have frequently been a participant of our meetings on tactics and handling the Wraith Hives, I would have presumed you would be aware of this," Bitterwind responded icily.

"Right… well, I am going to head to the conference hall," Jack announced before retreating, clearly not anticipating the sudden hostility.

John chuckled and shook his head, "There are only a few more groups. We should head over to the hall as well." All three Wraithkin nodded in agreement at the suggestion.

By the time they reached the transporter, O'Neill had clearly already used it. John waited for the others to file into the transporter before activating it. The area chosen for the conference hall had, by everyone's best guess, been a theater of some sort. Either that or an auditorium for lectures. Either way, it would serve their purposes well. The tiered room had been lined with rows of tables with comfortable seating. Jeanie had done a masterful job of the task. Each table was wired with a cordless microphone, that could be activated with the press of a button, and a switch that would light a panel at the front of the table to indicate if they wanted to speak or ask a question.

That along with the discrete speakers built into the surface of the tables, to ensure everyone heard, as well as screens to ensure that everyone could see whatever information was being conveyed, and it was an impressive set up. On top of this, Torres had worked with Daniel and numerous others to get written copies of the languages of every planet with written word. Most of them were derivatives of Ancient, and with the system that came from the crystals Ata had provided, they only had to input the languages into the translation matrix. That meant that every table for planets with written languages had their native text available on the screens for them.

John was privately glad that one of the numerous useful side-effects of the bond was being able to learn the Wraith language with ease. It meant that even though the table for the Wraithkin had their text in Wraith, John could read it as easily as anyone else at his table. John took the seat in front of the microphone with Todd and Bitterwind flanking him, Silverclaw on Bitterwind's other side. There were more than a few clusters of various delegations talking to each other. John's group received ample glances, more than a few were hostile, which wasn't surprising, but none of those approached.

Allina and Sanir came over to their table and bowed, "I am glad to see that you will be attending this grand meeting. I do not believe that our galaxy has every considered anything so ambitious before. True, there is the Coalition, but it is not nearly as inclusive as this. Some of the people here, I have never even heard of their worlds. There is one group that has children as representatives even."

"Yeah, we call their world Neverland. Up until a few years ago, they would commit ritual suicide at age 25 to prevent the wraith from culling their world. It was under a mistaken belief that we've managed to correct and persuade them to not kill themselves. Keras, the head of their group of representatives, is literally the oldest person on their world. We met him literally the day before he turned 25," John was stiff as he spoke.

"Why Neverland? I do not understand this term," Allina asked in confusion.

It was Todd who answered. John realized that he was probably reading a little too much in his off time, "It is from a children's book of the Lanteans' homeworld. Neverland was a place where those who lived there never aged. It was predominately populated by children."

"And they are a world of children, at least by our standards," Allina nodded in understanding now.

"Hence, why part of their delegation is younger than my oldest kid," John smiled at the silliness of it.

Rikki had waved off the Coalition's first summit, completely disinterested. She told John that she would pay attention to their activities if it looked like it might impact her ability to do science and not a moment before that. John figured that Rikki was still a little too young to care too deeply about politics that didn't impact her. He did notice that Sebastian, Amelia, and Jeff were sitting in the upper balcony, where civilians had been invited to watch.

Eventually, the last of the delegations arrived and Dr. Torres took the podium at the front, requesting everyone take their seats. The Daganians returned to their table and John did his best to keep it from appearing as if his eyes had glazed over while Dr. Torres gave a welcome speech that was a half hour long. It mostly consisted of an expression of hope for the worlds working together for the mutual benefit of the galaxy and their safety.

After that, there were a slew of brief speeches made by each table. Each delegation had five minutes to express their feelings on having a mass meeting. Most were positive, talking about how it was gratifying to see everyone being treated as equals. When it came time for John to make the speech for the Wraithkin, he saw how stiff everyone in the hall was as he leant forward.

"The People of the Wraithkin and their worlds have asked me to speak on their behalf, an honor which I have accepted. While the Wraithkin have chosen, for the most part over the past few months, to keep themselves isolated from the other worlds of the Pegasus Galaxy, they are, at present only doing so out of consideration for the worlds that they are aware that have been previously harmed in their endeavors for their survival. The Wraithkin are aware that many of the worlds of Pegasus would not, at present, welcome them in trade or alliances. That being said, they are willing and capable of providing protection from the Wraith, in addition in attempting to make right past wrongs by providing the worlds harmed by their past actions with means of improving infrastructure and agricultural productivity for any who are willing and wish for it.

"The Wraithkin, however, know that forgiveness is not something that will come easily, if at all, and are well aware of the damage their actions, though a necessity to survive, have caused the worlds of Pegasus. They are hopeful, however, that with time, and dedication, they can prove that their intentions are truly to make amends for their past actions and to move into the future with an intent to help safeguard Pegasus and all lawful residents within it in conjunction with the Lanteans and their populous. They also ask that you keep in mind that the children of the Wraithkin, those who willingly took the retrovirus before they began to physically mature, or as they began to physically mature, are not at fault, in any way, shape, or form for the actions committed by their care givers. The majority are extremely young and have never harmed any human in any way. Thank you," John had worked out the wording with both Nancy and Bitterwind. It was a balancing act to make it clear that while they weren't going to grovel for forgiveness, no Wraithkin would let go of their pride enough for that, they did intend to try to make things right.

In a way, they already had. A few of the more trusted hives, primarily Bitterwind's and her daughters', had been outfitted with more advanced Asgard weapons, the beaming tech, and McKay's Wormhole drive and had been making some of the responses to the attempted cullings. The room remained silent for a moment before, as they were going alphabetically, the Yarea people were given their turn to provide an introductory speech. They were a hunter-gatherer society that had spoken of hopes of being able to establish farming and agriculture now that they had a safer means of protecting their people with the Lantean provided shield. Their shield was, out of necessity, massive to accommodate their nomadic patterns, but from what John understood, they had tentatively negotiated with the Athosians for tava bean seeds in exchange for some hunted meat.

There was only one planet to hear from after the Yarea people, a more developed agricultural planet of tribes, the Zenaw. Once the opening statements were completed, Dr. Torres returned to the podium and began laying out the purpose of the newly formed Interplanetary Coalition of Pegasus, namely mutual help, benefit, and safety. At this point, the Genii predictably flicked the switch indicating they had something to say.

Torres indulged them, though John was fairly certain he already knew what Ladon intended to say, "You speak of forming this new organization, as a sort of upgrade from the Coalition of Planets, to protect others, and yet you allow the very predators who have fed upon us for millennia to sit among us, next to one of your most esteemed members and call them allies. How can we trust these 'Wraithkin' or the Lanteans who are willing to place so much faith in them at all? I have seen no evidence so far of their good intent."

John smirked. Just two weeks prior, a hive had attempted to cull on Genia, and John had intentionally sent Bitterwind and Silverclaw's hives to deal with them for this very reason. He flicked the switch indicating he needed to say something. However, Princess Flora, of Harmony, a woman that John was familiar with thanks to his escorting her younger sister through her rite for claiming her throne. Apparently, the world was called by the Queen's name, so John shrugged and waved for Torres to let Flora go first. John knew that Harmony had a bone to pick with the Genii, as did several other worlds.

Torres took his signal and indicated Princess Flora could speak, "It is peculiar, though I suppose not entirely unexpected, that the world with a long, protracted history if taking advantage of their supposed allies in not only trade agreements, but also committing unwelcome and unwanted mining operations, like was done on my homeworld, without my late mother's permissions, would be the first to cast aspersions on the trustworthiness of another group. Personally, in my experience, the Lanteans have never been anything other than honest and fair with my people.

"Their trade goods, which are predominantly medicines, have saved countless lives, and less than three weeks ago, they destroyed two hives that made an attempt to cull my homeworld. I think in this case, the actions of the Lanteans have proved that their words hold more weight to my people than the words of the Genii who less than two years ago attempted to interfere in a Sacred Rite of Queenship that my Queen and sister, Harmony undertook. An interference that only failed because of the efforts of the Lanteans in ensuring that the rightful and true Queen of my people was able to safely complete her Rite.

"Therefore, if the Lanteans say that the Wraithkin are endeavoring to make amends then the People of Harmony are willing to give them the benefit of an opportunity to prove their good intentions. The same cannot be said for the word of a Genii," Princess Flora finished what a hard look at Ladon. It was clear that Flora had made the declaration out of spite for the Genii, rather than a genuine willingness to trust the Wraithkin, but it was still a start.

Ladon's expression was sour. Torres didn't give him an opportunity to argue back though, instead turning to John who smiled before carefully wording things, "First off, I would like to say on behalf of the Wraithkin that we thank the People of Harmony for their willingness to consider accepting our intent to make amends for past wrongs. As for the accusations of the Genii that the Wraithkin have made no active efforts to prove their intent to provide aid in whatever method possible, I must respectfully disagree. I'm currently bringing up the readings on your monitors, for everyone to see, that two weeks ago, the shielding systems, which were by the way designed my Wraithkin husband, Todd, detected two Wraith Hives, can you confirm that this event did occur, Ladon?"

The Genii's nod was stiff, "Our shield did, in fact, activate two weeks ago in response to two hives above our planet, which did proceed to attempt a bombardment of our planet."

"Right, well, as you can see on the readings that were transmitted from your own shielding system, shortly after the arrival of the first two hives, two more hives arrived and after a failed attempt to dissuade them from their attempts to cull and to take the Wraithkin Retrovirus instead, Queens Bitterwind and Silverclaw, who are currently sitting to my left, ordered their hives to open fire and destroyed the two Wraith hives attacking your world, after evacuating any living humans and immature Wraith, who have since accepted, happily, the opportunity to be free of the Hunger. So, you see, you and your people have firsthand experience of the good intent of the Wraithkin, having personally been rescued by them just two weeks ago, by your own admission," John smiled brightly and leaned back, ceding the floor back to Torres.

Ladon looked like he would happily shoot John. In truth, John was fairly certain that Ladon was fantasizing about it while Torres continued her list of hopes and intents for the future of the people of the Pegasus galaxy. After she finished, she opened the floor to different worlds to air what they hope for from the ICP. John wasn't surprised when the first question that was aired was from Kelore, the Latiran representative who had been on the original Coalition of Planets council.

"This is a question directed to the Wraithkin representatives. You have spoken already of an intent to make reparations, not just through providing security, but also through agricultural assistance and infrastructure. The Latiran people would like clarification on what kind of aid we would receive, if we were receptive to it," Kelore asked, his eye clearly glinting with the possibility of getting more out of the Lanteans.

John grimaced, he hated the politics of it all, but knew the importance of stressing what the Wraithkin could do, "The Wraithkin are happy and willing to provide testing on soils to advise on which soils are best for which crops, with the intent to help improve crop yield. They are willing to assist in the designing and construction of irrigation systems to fields that require it, again to assist in the improved crop yield, and help in creating aqueduct systems to improve the supple of fresh water to urban environments. They are willing to assist in clearing arable lands of obstructions such as boulders and trees, including their root systems to help increase farmlands. The Wraithkin are also willing to assist in the design and construction of more structurally stable and insulated silos, barns, homes, and other buildings. Of course, their numbers are currently limited, and they do have their own crops and worlds to maintain, but they will do whatever is within reason and their abilities to meet these goals."

More than a few groups of representatives got thoughtful expressions. Most of them were agricultural worlds that would see a significant improved standard of living with such aid, as well as a major cultural development boost. The Genii were the next to speak, though John suspected that Torres was calling on Ladon just to get it over with.

"And what of worlds that are advanced past the point where such assistance will prove useful?" Ladon questioned. "The Genii, for example, already possess the ability to detect where best to plant crops and know how to lay irrigation systems. We have running water that goes beyond aqueduct systems. We even have weapons capable of allowing us to fight the Wraith, though admittedly they are not on the same level as that of the Lanteans. What could the Wraithkin possibly do to make amends with us?"

"The people of Lantea have agreed that the worlds that are more advanced, such as the Genii, would not benefit much from the assistance of the Wraithkin, as they are currently able to provide, given that they are still establishing themselves and attempting to ensure that they themselves have a stable and secure home," John kept his face straight although he felt a smug satisfaction and he knew Todd felt it too, Ladon had just openly admitted to being more advanced than they had admitted to anyone besides the Lanteans. Still, he had to play it by the book. He could tell that the Genii and a few others were looking a little too eager, like they expected John to offer up a ship or weapons. He remained quiet as Torres took up where he left off.

"The People of Lantea have, by popular vote, determined that our desire to see the Wraithkin, whether they be residents of Lantea, or other worlds, be able to provide proper compensation to those they harmed. As such, for worlds that are not currently within the Wraithkin worlds' capabilities to assist, Lantea has decided to open up the opportunity for their children to receive a more advanced and improved opportunity by receiving an education with our own children. They will be provided with housing, food, and be sharing classes with our children that will enable them to learn at a faster pace on topics covering mathematics, sciences, languages, both yours and ours, and the fundamentals of working Ancient technologies for those who are receptive to the ATA gene therapy or bare the gene naturally," Torres finished and while most of those who had looked eager before now looked ecstatic, Ladon once more looked like he was sucking on a lemon.

Sharia of the Tribes of Santhal spoke next, "What of worlds that are within the Wraithkin's capabilities to assist? Will we also be provided with this opportunity?"

Torres smiled, "Yes. However, for all the worlds that do consider sending their children to us, they should be aware of several things. These classes will possess Wraithkin children within them. The children who are educated here will be expected to live on Atlantis during the period of their educations, as daily gate travel would, I'm sure you can understand, be extremely disruptive to their learning opportunities. I would also like to warn that while their educations in some areas might be immediately beneficial to your peoples, such as in the fields of botany and first-aid medicine, both of which require more advanced educations, there are a great deal more that you wouldn't find useful until your technology has advanced to a sufficient degree that agriculture isn't your primary way of life. For example, I am sure there are a great many of you who would see an increase in crop yields and houses that won't cave in on you as far more valuable at present than you would find the ability to understand the mechanics behind a rainbow or the calculations of how a bird can maintain its flight or even the histories of some long lost world that can only be read in their ruins as they are long gone."

There were plenty of nods of agreement at this, Princess Flora asked the next question, "But if we are interested in sending some of our children to Atlantis for the more advanced educations and if they are capable, the lessons on how to utilize the Ancestor's technology, it will be permitted?"

"Welcomed is a more accurate term. The hope of the Lanteans is to help the various peoples of Pegasus to develop in technology until we are all on equal footing and can stand as equals in understanding and goals. As each of your worlds have already been informed, there is a greater threat than even the Wraith approaching. We do not know exactly how long we have until they come to the Pegasus Galaxy, but ultimately, the Lantean hope is to see that the Naari are not able to repeat what they are currently doing in the Milky Way in the Pegasus galaxy.

"Our hope is to ensure that they are never given the opportunity and for that we need everyone standing up, side by side, to fight as one. To fight as equals so that the threat can be eliminated before they have the opportunity to finish what they started in the Milky Way and then come here. You have all been told of what happened to our homeworld. You know we were so detrimentally outnumbered that all we could do was evacuate as many people as we possibly could manage in the time available. Evacuate them here as there was nowhere else for us to go. This is why we look to the Wraithkin for help, as we do the Tok'ra, and the Jaffa who have joined our numbers. This is not a fight for one people, one world, one way of life. This isn't even a fight for one species, the Naari do not care if you are human, Wraith, Wraithkin, Jaffa, Nox, or any other sentient species that is out there. They seek to dominate and destroy.

"Before this summit of the ICP is over, before the week is out, you will see the footage gathered by stealth missions into the Milky Way galaxy that our ships have taken. You will see the damage to the worlds that weren't immediately vaporized, as ours was. We've managed to rescue some of those who were briefly under the Naari thumb and experienced what it is like and you will hear from them and be able to question them as well. Just keep that in mind as we discuss matters for the rest of today and throughout this week. This isn't about past wrongs and petty rivalries. This is about the survival and freedom of all the sentient peoples residing within Pegasus," Torres finished speaking to a hall of dead silence.

John had to give the woman credit. She knew how to captivate an audience and make a compelling speech. John had struggled through writing his little five minute piece with the help of Nancy and a bunch of Queens who had millennia of experience making speeches and it wasn't as impressive as the one that John suspected that Torres had just made up on the fly. If she hadn't than she had made a point to memorize it, but John doubted that was as likely as she just winged it. Or maybe she had been looking for the right moment to make it.

After that, the day pretty much turned dull for John. There were some discussions on expectations about honoring trade agreements, most of which had people glaring at the Genii, and discussions on how to improve crops. All of this was as interesting to John as writing a ten paged report on the findings of a trip to the moon. Sure, in theory it sounded interesting, but in actuality, a blank, barren wasteland. It is incredibly difficult and boring in describing the moon. That didn't mean that John didn't have to pay attention as he did occasionally have to respond to a question directed at the Wraithkin or ask one for them. The advantage to their telepathy meant that they weren't whispering whenever they needed to discuss something among themselves.

It gave those from the other delegations the impression that the Wraithkin were happy to let John speak for them. The breaks they got were spent getting food into themselves and Todd and John both pumped and left the milk with Kannan who was watching Fianna for them. John made a point of periodically checking Ladon's mind to ensure the sneaky Genii wasn't up to anything. However, all that he seemed inclined to care about that day or even the next was maintaining some form of political standing within the new ICP and potentially get weapons. He also seemed interested in sowing distrust towards the Wraithkin and Lanteans and was frustrated that his efforts so far weren't working that well.

On the second day, part of it was spent on a tour of the highlights of Atlantis. The majority of the delegates looked eager to see the advantages that Atlantis had, particularly the medical areas given that medicine was the major trade item from Lantea. Keller, Lam, and Beckett had ensured that the main infirmary was clear of patients for the tour and were diverted to the auxiliary infirmaries. There was a little demonstration of the scanners and explanations of new medical treatments in development, like Rikki's modified hand device and the nanites.

"At present, for example, we are just starting clinical trials to use the nanites developed by Todd Sheppard to replace the Tretonin Drug the Jaffa are reliant on to fill their lack of immune system. The Jaffa are humans who were modified by the species known as the Goa'uld to carry their young several millennia ago. This modification required that the larval Goa'uld replace the Jaffa immune system when they are first implanted as otherwise their immune system would kill the larval Goa'uld. As a result, now that the Goa'uld have been wiped out, the Jaffa require a replacement for the larval Goa'uld. That replacement was originally a drug derived from Goa'uld symbiotes that we have since figured out how to create a synthetic version of. Now, the drug does have a few notable side-effects, the primary one being that if you do have a functional immune system, it will eliminate it, which is a bad thing and why we don't use it for any one besides the Jaffa. The other downside is that it has a relatively short effective span, a dose only last two days, so if the Jaffa goes longer than that without a dose, then they are susceptible to anything they come into contact with.

"Now, the current hope is to either use the nanites to repair their immune systems, as they are born with one, it just deteriorates when the hit puberty. Or if that's not possible, then use the nanites to replace the immune system. This second option is less favorable because, it could mean that the Jaffa will be susceptible to other threats, like an EMP disrupting the Nanites, so if that is the route we end up taking, we will also be looking into a retrovirus to correct the deterioration of their immune system, though that will require a great deal of time and research to achieve," Lam explained.

"Will these nanites be able to provide other medical treatments or be made available as a medical treatment for diseases as a trade item?" Sharia of the Tribes of Santhal asked.

"At present we are still testing the safety and capabilities of the nanites. However, once we are certain that they can be used safely, we will open their use up for trade purposes. That being said, when that does happen, it will be necessary for Lantean Doctors to administer the nanites as they will likely require extensive monitoring to ensure that they are doing only what they are intended to do," Keller answered.

"What about those who were infected from the Hoffen Drug? Will these nanites be able to help them or are you perhaps working on a treatment for them?" Another delegate asked. John didn't know his name, but he figured his world was one of the ones that took in the survivors who had been given the drug.

Beckett answered that question, "I am currently working on developing a targeted treatment for those who received the Hoffen Drug. I believe I am close to one that will repair the damage done to their immune systems so that they will be able to live perfectly functional and normal lives without being susceptible to the infections that a normal person can fight off easily. I hope to start taking volunteers for treatment trials within six weeks."

John resisted the urge to snort. Beckett had realized that some of the components in the drug Michael created to prevent him from dying, due to his being a clone, were structured almost identically to the chemicals that those within a mating bond created and the one the Keller synthetically created. After some preliminary examinations, he theorized that that was the component of Michael's drug that kept the Hoffen Drug within his own system from destroying his immune system. John figured that Michael probably worked out the whole chemical keeping the bonded carriers from going brain dead on his own.

Still, if that was another advantage of the bond, then, John wasn't going to complain. So far, John had seen the whole bond as a positive with no downsides. He had a healthy marriage, healthy baby, Rikki adored Todd, and they were making serious progress on the Wraith conversion to Wraithkin front too. Each new positive was like a little extra bonus thrown in just for fun. Yes, Todd would have to go on Keller's drug if something happened to John, but as there was a drug now to ensure that Todd survived even if John didn't, he wasn't going to dwell too deeply on it.

He followed the group as they went to the observation room for the Wraithkin NICU. Questions aplenty were asked about the babies, there were some questions about why the two attending nurses were both Wraithkin, which was given the answer that their immune systems ensured they never got sick and couldn't be carriers, thus they wouldn't pass on any sickness to the vulnerable, preemie babies or the two still comatose but recovering carriers currently being cared for in the ward. They were the ones who had been furthest along in their first pregnancies, so their minds were taking significantly longer to heal.

This led to questions about the drug Keller used to treat the carriers and that led to a general explanation of Wraith/Wraithkin mating bonds. Nothing too personal was discussed, but there were plenty of looks directed at John and Todd. After that explanation, the questions shifted to the potential treatments that could be made from the drug, which Beckett revealed he was plaining on using a targeted and modified version to treat the Hoffen Drug side-effects.

Through it all, John kept an eye and mind on Ladon, but it seemed, for whatever reason, the man seemed content to remain silent throughout the tours. He was a little too interested in the labs when they were shown, at Rikki's recommendation, Rikki's lab. Rikki was working on assembling the prototype of the modified Goa'uld hand healing device. She had admitted that other projects had repeatedly taken precedence over it, and the device kept getting pushed to the side. They intended on testing it once the ICP summit was over. Rikki and Tom fielded the questions about their current projects with familiar ease.

A large number of the delegates were eager to learn of an easy to use healing device. Given that such a device could mean the difference between life and death for major injuries, John couldn't blame them for their excitement. Even Ladon looked pleased with the prospect of having such a device soon available. Rikki did have to explain that it the device did have a limited capacity in what it could heal, but John doubted if the delegates gave a shit that there was an energy drain with the use of the device.

That afternoon was spent discussing and clarifying the known abilities of the Naari. Footage taken from the Hammond was shown and even as they neared the one-year anniversary of Earth's destruction, it was still hard to watch. John read the room instead of focusing on the footage and realized that for the first time these people were shifting their concerns away from the Wraith. They were swiftly becoming more a nuisance than a genuine threat to the galaxy thanks to the Lanteans. The Naari though, no one wanted to have their world completely vaporized for no reason at all. There was little that could be done to safeguard against a threat like that.

Even Ladon seemed to take it seriously as they heard an Unas and a Jaffa military leader explain their first-hand experiences with the Naari and the knowledge they had gotten from it. The discussions continued into the third day. When, just before lunch, it was put to a vote to rely on the Lanteans and provide the necessary food for them to fight the Naari, John suspected that it was the first time in recorded history that an entire galaxy of worlds had put forth an vote and the result was unanimous. He also knew the others were making the choice selfishly. They were finally getting a life free of the threat of being food for the Wraith, for the first time in millennia. The idea of being playthings for a new threat was something they wanted to avoid at all costs and John couldn't blame them for that. The only surprise had been that even Ladon had voted for the Lanteans taking the lead as well.

That afternoon was spent determining where support and resources could be used and distributed. John felt the tension ease from in his back as the delegates for the various worlds made their departures. Before leaving, Princes Flora came over to speak with John for a moment, "I will speak to Queen Harmony on the matter attempting to locate those who carry the… ATA gene among our people. If they are of an appropriate age, they will be sent to be trained to help fight and be used as pilots of your Puddle Jumpers. If they are younger, then they will be sent to learn from you so that when they are grown, they might join the fight and with greater knowledge than their predecessors."

John smiled, "Testing for the gene is easy and can be done on your world, if you wish. We have small portable devices that require the gene to use, that we call LSDs and anyone with the gene can use it. I don't doubt you will find that you can easily use it, as I know your sister, Queen Harmony has the gene."

"I am sure Queen Harmony will be delighted to know this," Flora responded and then rejoined her group as they awaited their turn to leave.

John sighed in relief as the last delegate left the city, "Thank fuck that went so well."

Bitterwind chuckled, "I have never seen such docile negotiations occur before."

"Ladon made at least six veiled threats to various former trade partners during the summit and we showed footage of the destruction of our homeworld. That's docile to you?" John countered.

"Hmm… Hive Alliance negotiations frequently have multiple deaths while the hives via for who the primary will be, so yes, very docile," Bitterwind answered.

John cringed slightly, "I hope nothing like that happened to determine the primary for the Wraithkin Hive Alliance."

Bitterwind smirked, "It was not necessary. Our Primary was an easy and obvious choice. After all, you, I strongly suspect, could ravage the minds of any Hive Queen if you desired to. I know that my defenses are next to useless against you, that's for certain." With that she and Silverclaw walked away, leaving John with his jaw hanging open.

Todd gave him a raised eyebrow at this, "Did your mother just imply that I was the Wraithkin Primary?" He barely managed to keep the squeak of panic from his voice.

Todd laughed in amusement, "You did not think they had you speak for them because you were merely pretty to look at, did you? No, of course you are the Alliance Primary. It has always fallen to the strongest of will and mind, the surest fighter, and that is you. They all know that you could kill them effortlessly. It is why the Wraithkin within Atlantis defer to you and it is why the Queens do as well. To them you are the Fearless Leader of the Winds of Change. There is nothing more powerful or terrifying to any Wraith and thus no other that the Wraithkin would choose to lead them, just as I am now known as Guide of Wraithkin where I was once known as Guide of Wraith."

John nodded slowly as he processed this and then froze, "Is that why Menelaus isn't afraid of me?" Todd just laughed at him again for that and John decided to let it go. At present, none of the Wraithkin Queens appeared inclined to fight him for the position of Primary and in truth Bitterwind might have been right about being able tear apart their minds if he felt it necessary. While working with his people, he had realized he could send out a wide broadcast thought, but he had to be careful not to be too forceful with it because it could hurt others. Besides, if it kept the Wraithkin Hive Queens from killing each other and maintained the peace, that was good. That did mean he had finally found the sole downside to the bond though, excessive responsibility to the Wraithkin.