Chapter 23: Earth.
John sat in the mess hall of the Earth ship Daedalus, it was night-time so the lights were low and the place was empty. He'd tried to get to sleep, but he had too much on his mind for sleep to come.
The last couple of days had passed in a blur and he was trying to collect his thoughts and remember what had gone on. Shalite had had her baby and he had been present for that. Once he was sure that she was going to be okay, he'd gone to see Julian about heading back to earth as soon as possible and she had been mad at him for the next twenty-four hours, only bothering to talk to him just before he stepped through the stargate.
Smiling he remembered back to what she'd said to him, she'd come up and wrapped her arms around him, before kissing him on the cheek and then she'd told him to be careful, because there were so many people relying on him including her. Looking into her eyes, it was at that moment he'd decided that he really did love her, but it would be selfish of him to stay with her. Shalite had expressed a similar sentiment when she'd told him that she loved him as well. She'd looked at him with longing right before he'd stepped through the stargate and for a split second he'd thought about running back, kissing her on the lips and declaring his undying love for her, but he knew that he couldn't, because Teyla and her son still needed rescuing and Michael definitely needed to be stopped in the past.
The Stargate was housed in a secret warehouse in the New Satedan Capital and only a select few people knew of its location, Julian and Rohan among them, but Shalite had been allowed to know its location, so that she could say goodbye to her friends. After John had stepped through the stargate along with Rohan, Julian, Rodney and Carson, they'd arrived at a remote planet at the edge of the Pegasus galaxy, where they were picked up by an earth ship. John had been surprised to find it had been named the Daedalus. Apparently, there was a fleet of ships named after Earth's first interplanetary vessels.
Here he was twenty-four hours later and too wired to sleep, hugging his coffee and thinking of what was to come. The plan was to find an ancient time-jumper and if it could travel back 50,000 years, he would go back to New Sateda, say his goodbyes and head home to the past.
Julian and Rohan were going to be talking to president of earth, about helping with the unstable political situation in the Pegasus Galaxy. John was glad that he would be going home soon, as he didn't want to get involved in an interplanetary war in this time-period.
A voice interrupted his thoughts, "can't you sleep either?"
Looking up from the coffee he was staring at, he noticed that Rodney had entered the room and was sitting at the table with him, "nah, too much on my mind," he said stifling a yawn.
"What are you thinking about?"
John could sense that Rodney had something on his mind and wanted to talk, "I'm fine Rodney, is there something you would like to talk about?"
"What if you don't succeed, I mean what if you somehow get killed trying to go back in time?" Rodney blurted out.
Sighing he looked at his holographic friend, he'd actually been having the same thoughts for a while now, but he didn't want to let Rodney know about it. "There's probably a very small chance of that happening, so I'm not worried about it and neither should you be."
"You do know that you could stay here and build a life for yourself, don't you? I know that Shalite would love you to stay, as would Carson and Joe."
"And you don't want me to stay?" John smirked.
"Why would I want a messy haired fly-boy like you hanging around." Rodney said and John could see the amusement in his eyes.
"Believe me Rodney, there is nothing I would like more than to stay here with you guys, but I'm only here because of a freak accident, so basically this was never meant to be. Teyla and her son were supposed to live, as were Jennifer, Ronon, and Sam."
"Yes but, how do you know that?"
"I just know that I have to try and help them and I can't do that by staying here. That would be completely selfish of me!" John stated forcefully.
He was relieved when Rodney's tone softened, I'm sorry John it's just that I'm really going to miss you. When I was first created I had one task to do and that was to make sure you got into a stasis pod with the information to go back in time and save Teyla when the time was right. But as you know that never worked out, so I have had a chance to spend time with you and at times, I almost forgot I was a hologram and you were trapped 50,000 in your future. Perhaps that sounds selfish of me, but I can't help it, I have come to consider you as my creator did, my best friend."
"Wow Rodney! "John said in a shocked voice, "I never knew that you were so emotional, and I'm definitely going to miss you too. Although I'll be going back to my own time and seeing to original McKay, I would have to admit that you are so different to him."
"Thanks, I think." Rodney replied, looking uncertain.
"Anyway." John said deciding that he needed to change the subject, "what happened to the information with Teyla's location."
"I grabbed that as soon as I was able to touch things without my hand passing right through them. I have it in a safe place and I will give it back to you before you go back in time."
John nodded, before he spoke again, "what about Michael, have you heard anything else about him?"
"There's been no sign of him, he may have put himself in stasis, or he may have clones of himself throughout the galaxy. I only hope that he doesn't try to attack us, while the powers that be are playing their political games!" Rodney was obviously quite angry by the time he'd finished.
"I don't know what to say Rodney, but one thing I know for sure is that I'm glad I won't be around to see what happens, as I have a war to fight 50,000years in the past."
"Yeah I know, and I don't envy the situation you're going to, things in this period seem bad enough."
John decided that it was time to change the subject again, "did you ever find the ZPM lab that was supposed to be in those caves?"
"We did, but it was a big disappointment, the machinery was crushed and broken centuries ago and there were no fully functioning ZedPMs there. I could probably get it working with a lot of work, but I haven't really had a chance."
John smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder, "If anyone can figure it out you can Rodney."
"Thanks John, I just wish that you could stay here and help me."
"Believe me if I could, I would love to stay and help you, but we both know that I have to go home and I'm not sure I'd be much help anyway."
"Believe it or not, you're one of the smartest men I have ever known. You are as smart as Zelenka, but not quite as smart as me, so basically that makes you pretty smart."
"Thanks, I think."
A voice spoke from the other side of the mess hall, "how are you going lads, do you mind if I join you?"
"No not at all Carson, I was just about to head back to bed to see if I can get some sleep." Rodney told him, standing to his feet.
Carson chuckled, "really I have no idea why holograms need to sleep."
John smirked when Rodney glared at Carson, "goodnight Carson I will see you in the morning."
John watched as Rodney left and then he turned to look at Carson who was now sitting across from him nursing a cup of coffee, "can't sleep either Carson?"
"Not really, I just keep thinking of earth and wondering if I should stay there. When I found out that I had died and I was a clone, I never thought that I would see it again and I was at peace with that. Now I've been given a chance to see it once more, I'm not sure I'm going to want to leave."
"I understand Doc, but what ever decision you make don't make it lightly. You have some good friends back on New Sateda and maybe you'll get the opportunity to live and work on Atlantis again."
"Aye I know Lad and if I choose to stay I'll miss them all."
John took a deep breath, things were about to get emotional again, "I'm really going to miss you Carson and I know that there is a Carson waiting in stasis back home, but he won't be you."
"I'm going to miss you too lad and believe me when I say that other Carson Beckett is a very lucky man."
" Yeah, he'll get to put me back together again every time I'm injured." John quipped, trying lighten the mood. His face turned serious before he spoke again, "that's if we can ever find a cure for the degradation in his cells and organs."
"I may have a solution to that. Rodney managed to get hold of some of Michaels data base and some of it was medical, so I will give you my thoughts and findings before you leave. If you give them to Jennifer perhaps she can find something."
"I'm assuming that Michael was able to fix that defect in the Carson clones he created?" John asked and he couldn't help but flinch at the way it sounded.
"Yeah, I'm one hundred percent healthy and hopefully I should be able to live a normal life and die of old age at the appropriate time. The only decision I have to make is where I want to live that life, on Atlantis, or on Earth."
"Whatever decision you make I wish you every success Carson."
"Thanks John."
John sat in silence, with Carson beside him. In the centre of the window he could see the earth, at this point it was still a little blue dot in the distance, but it would continue to grow rapidly from now on. They had exited hyperspace at the edge of the solar system, because earth's government had decided that hyperspace travel was not allowed in their solar system. Julian had told him that he had asked about their stargates and they apparently, they hadn't been used much, since they preferred to use spaceships these days.
John knew that the earth'd had hyperspace travel in his day, but according to Julian and what he'd been told, it was so much faster these days. He'd left the Pegasus galaxy less than two days ago and in another two he would be on earth, which is much quicker than the three-week journey, he used to have to endure to get from earth to Atlantis.
"Goodnight John," Carson said bringing him out of his musings.
"Goodnight Carson."
John sat and watched his friend leave, before turning back to the window to stare at the blue spot that was in the centre of his view.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Carson stood in the mess hall watching as they approached earth. The journey had been an enjoyable one, but finally he was home again.
The ship had flown by most of the planets in the Solar system and he was surprised to find that they were overflowing with human settlements, from the moons of Saturn, to the ice moons of the Jovian system, to Mars and finally to Earths moon. The settlements were easily seen from space, as the architecture was every bit as magnificent as Atlantis and he found himself wanting to explore every one of them. The decision to stay on Earth was becoming easier for him with every passing moment. As they approached the Earth a myriad of space stations came into view and it was easy to see how populated they were.
"Wow!" A voice exclaimed beside him, "this is magnificent, maybe I'll come and live here."
He turned to his left and was surprised to see Rodney standing there, "I can't imagine you never going back to Atlantis."
"You're probably right, but can't a hologram dream." Rodney quipped.
"This is magnificent though, and believe it or not I'm considering staying on earth. That is if I'm allowed to."
"I don't blame you Carson and I'm ready to support you with whatever decision you make."
"Thanks Rodney."
Carson stood and watched the earth coming closer and it wasn't long before he could make out the continents and he was surprised to see that they hadn't moved much in 50,000 years. "The continents haven't really shifted much?"
"It takes millions of years for that to happen," John answered coming up to stand on the other side of him.
"Yes, could have been in Mensa John, you are absolutely correct, but getting back to the mission at hand, how long before we can get down there and find a time-ship."
"Way to kill the moment McKay." John said and Carson didn't miss the glare that he gave Rodney.
Before Rodney had a chance to respond an announcement came over the shipboard radio.
"Anyone heading to the presidential Palace, please meet in transporter room one in five minutes."
"That's us lads." Carson told them, before he turned to leave the room, hoping that the others were following him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John felt the white light of the transporter beam envelop him and the Daedalus transporter room disappear, to be replaced by a resplendent sight. The room he was standing in was every bit as magnificent as the Atlantis gate room was. It had the same mix of greens and reds and a large staircase leading up to a mezzanine floor, exactly like the Atlantis control room. He looked around at his friends who had been deposited along side of him and he could see the awe on their faces as well.
A group of People dressed in white tunics similar to what the Ancients once wore, came up to stand in front of them and John suspected that they were here to take them somewhere.
A tall redhaired woman with green eyes and pale skin spoke first, "I am Amelia Bryant, those of you wishing to see President Jones, please come with me now?"
John watched as Rohan and Julian eagerly followed, talking at a hundred miles an hour.
His was brought back to the current situation when a short, round dark-haired man, with blue eyes spoke, "John, Rodney, Carson, I am Liam Smith and I understand that you would like to ask for use of one of our time-ships."
John stepped forward and put out his hand for the man to shake, "hi I'm John Sheppard and yes I would be most grateful if I was able to use one of you time-ships."
"And how do you expect to pilot it? Anyone who flies these ships needs the have the DNA of the ancestors."
"I just happen to have that DNA," John replied smugly.
"How is that possible? We keep a registry of all who possess the Ancestors DNA here on earth and it also covers all humans who live in the solar system." Liam asked with his mouth wide open.
John plastered a fake smile on his face, "It's a long story and if I have to tell it I only want to tell it once, so if you can kindly take me to someone who can grant me permission to use one of your ships, I would be grateful."
He was relieved when Liam nodded and walked off, indicating that they should follow and John was happy to do so.
After climbing the grandiose stair-case they were led down a wide corridor. Finally, they reached a door and Liam knocked.
"Come in," a muffled voice called from the other side of the closed door.
John followed Liam through the door and he saw a tall dark-haired man with hazel eyes, fair skin and Spiky hair looking at him. John blinked as he found himself staring at the man, wow this must be my doppelganger, he thought, flinching as he remembered that he last time he came face to face with a doppelganger it had been content on killing him.
"Commander Linton these are the men that President Jones was talking about." Liam informed him.
"Thank you, Liam, you may go now." The Commander said, staring back at John.
John watched as Liam left and then he turned to the commander again, "hi I'm John Sheppard and I would like to ask for use of one of your time-ships? Please."
"Hello I am Samuel Linton, Commander of the military for the Earth and all the settlements in it's Solar system and I have spoken with President Carver from New Sateda and he has explained everything."
John took a deep breath wondering exactly what Julian had told this man, "and what has he told you?"
"Yes, yes, can't you just give us an answer to the question?" Rodney spluttered, in his usual sharp tone.
John watched as the expression on Samuel's face turned to one of impatience, "Do not worry Dr McKay, I will get to that soon enough, right now I would like to speak to John."
"How about you wait outside Rodney?" John suggested before turning to Carson, "can you go with him please Doc?"
John was relieved when Carson took Rodney out of the room without too much fuss.
"I will send Liam to give them a tour of the city."
"Thankyou Commander. Now, can you please tell me what you know of my predicament."
"I understand that you ended up in our time due to an accident with a solar flare and a stargate."
"Yes, a solar flare interacted with the event horizon as I was headed through the stargate on my way back to Atlantis 50,000 years ago."
"We know of Atlantis' existence, but we haven't ventured into the Pegasus galaxy for thousands of years, as we had a disagreement with the Coalition of planets and they have refused to talk to us in that time. We have been in constant communication with the New Satedan empire in that time, but they also have had very little contact with the Coalition of planets until recently."
John rubbed his face before he answered, he was still feeling a little weak and Carson had told him it was because it had been less than a week since he had come out of a coma, "well the plan was for me to travel back in time when a similar event was supposed to happen in around three hundred years from now, but the planet that Atlantis was on, was circling a red giant and the planet and sun only had around fifty years left, so that plan wasn't going to work."
"So, what has happened to Atlantis?"
"It has been moved and when the time is right, it's position will be revealed to whoever is interested in helping to restore it to its former glory."
"I'm and positive that President Jones will want to be involved in that, but I'll let him figure that out with President Carver. Anyway, getting back to the matter at hand, we have decided that you can use a time-ship to travel back to your time. There are some conditions though."
John sighed, of course they weren't going to let him use one of their ships easily, "and what might they be?"
"When you arrive in your time period, we expect you to hide it in a location of our choosing and to never let anyone know of its existence."
John nodded his head, "I think I can manage to do that. That's if it will go back 50,000 years, do you know if it can travel that far back in time?"
"Yes, we have found and researched much of an ancient data base over the last few thousand years, as well as conducting numerous tests and I assure you that they can travel that far back in time."
It really was a shame that Samuel wanted him to hide the ship, he was sure that they could find plenty of uses for it in the past, "That's great at least I'll have something to look forward too."
"Don't worry John, the people of Atlantis, will discover time-travel one day."
"Do you know how long people from earth stayed on Atlantis after I disappeared?"
"The expedition that you were a part of stayed on Atlantis for around ten thousand years, before they deserted it and came back to earth. I'm not really sure as to why they decided to abandon it, as it doesn't really go into details in our history books."
John suddenly felt proud of the men and women who he had left behind in the past, "I'm glad that they decided to stay despite what Michael did to the galaxy."
"Yes, apparently Michael was a relentless enemy and although the people of Atlantis retreated for a while, they still fought hard and had a hand in defeating Michael."
"The history that the Coalition teaches seems to be very different to the one that you are telling me." John commented.
"Yes, Julian has informed us that the Coalition has deceived it's people for thousands of years and I really hope that it can be put right without it leading to war."
John decided that it was time to change the subject again, since he had no intention of spending the rest of the day discussing politics, that was for Rohan and Julian to discuss, "so now that you've said I can use a time-ship, can I have a tour of the city?"
A smile lit up Samuel's face, "I would love to give you a tour of New San Francisco, although technically it's New, New, New, New, New, New, New San Francisco, give or take a few News."
John chuckled, "well lead the way then, I can't wait to see it."
Samuel stood up and walked out the door and John quickly followed, things were looking up. Within a week he would be able to go home and get back to his original mission, of finding Teyla and stopping Michael.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Carson very quickly ushered Rodney out of the door, sensing that he was in the mood for a full-blown rant, "Come on Rodney let's go and look for something to eat."
"Why can't we stay in there, I want to know whether John can use a time-ship or not?" Rodney whined.
"Rodney, I think that John would like to have that conversation without you interrupting all of the time." Carson chastised him.
"Well this is as important to me as it is to him."
"I doubt it."
"What do you mean by that Carson?" Rodney asked with indignance.
"I mean exactly what I said, John finding a time-ship and going home is definitely more important to him than you!" Carson stated forcefully.
Carson watched a look that could only be described as shock cross his friends face, "I guess you're right Carson, it's just that I'm really going to miss him and I'm worried that something will happen and he'll get killed in the process of trying to get home."
"Aye I'm going to really miss him as well and I know that you're worried that he won't make it home, but the chances of things going wrong are minimal."
"I'm hungry all of a sudden, so perhaps we should look for a mess hall or cafeteria or something." Rodney suggested.
"Come on lad, let's go."
Carson grabbed Rodney's arm and led him away from the door, he knew exactly where he was heading, because he had taken the time to ask about the cafeteria when they first arrived in the palace. He knew that he could distract Rodney for a while by getting him something to eat and then they would ask for a tour of the city.
TBC…