A/N: i know its been awhile since ive updated, i just got a new computer and i was having technical difficulties, but its all better now.
Chapter 5-Journey
The team and the Tialysians had been flying for a few minutes over miles of forested land. In the back of the ship, Major Sheppard and Lt. Ford were talking quietly, side by side.
"How long did they say this ride is?"
"Two hours, sir," Lt. Ford replied.
"How long have we been flying?"
Ford checked his watch, "Seven minutes, sir."
"Right."
"Major?"
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"Am I the only one wondering how the Tialysians were able to advance far enough to build a Gate and Jumper?"
Rodney had been listening in to their conversation and interrupted. "I've been pondering that topic. They could have stayed underground to hide from the Wraith, we've seen that before, with the Genii."
Teyla also jumped in the conversation, "Where would they have seen a Jumper in order to duplicate it so closely?"
"The Ancients could have abandoned or crashed one here thousands of years ago," Ford proposed, "during the war with the Wraith."
"That seems the most plausible explanation." Rodney continued, "If the Tialysians did build a Stargate and this Jumper, they are far more advanced than us. It's one thing to use Ancient technology, but to understand it so well in order to recreate it, change it… its.. its astonishing."
"Sounds like the type of people I'd like to know." Sheppard commented.
"Also the inscriptions at the Gate and the archway were written in Ancient." Rodney continued. "It seems as if they use it as their written language."
"So its safe to say they're way more intelligent than us." Ford whispered.
"I don't know about way more." Rodney said, not wanting to admit there's smarter people out there than him.
In an attempt to make him feel better, Teyla came back in the conversation. "They know more about Ancient technology because they have most likely studied it for hundreds of years, it has become like second nature to them. You have only had a few years to study the Ancients." Rodney did a little head shake in response.
"Teyla," The Major began, "What were you saying earlier about knowing these people, I mean AS:2?"
Teyla turned towards John, "My people have been trading partners with them and more of their people since I was a child. I know them from the planet of Tianna as simple farmers who are very private, but trustworthy. It thoroughly surprises me to see them like this, on this planet."
Time slowly passed as the Flyer continued its journey. The terrain stayed fairly the same, the ground was characterized be shallow, forested roaming hills. The tallest trees were spotted among the shorter, reaching a hundred feet into the crystal blue sky. Their leaves were an emerald hue and bark was a deep brown. The majority of the shorter trees were around eighty feet tall, but their leaves were a mix of maroon, army green, and sun burnt orange, and their bark was white. Once I while, football field size clearings came up among the trees. Wildflowers of red, yellow, and white filled these fields.
An hour and a half passed before the terrain began to change. The land became flat, the forest cleared away. Large open spaces of knee high grasses took their place for as far as the eye could see. They were flying to the right of a river that snaked its way through the green grasses, finally veering off into the west some miles ahead.
The First Minister turned around and spoke, "I have some good news, we're almost to the city of Bealle."
"I don't see it anywhere." Lt. Ford looked out, puzzled, like the rest of the team.
"That would be the idea."
Suddenly, the flyer passed through an energy field and the city came into view where there were only grasses before. Three miles of cropland were before the city. The city itself was circular and ended before it reached the river, which turned west around the city.
Commander Gallata radioed into the Command center, "Avenue Control, AC-201 request for landing."
"We read you AC-201, you're all clear in Hanger 2."
"Thank you ASC, we'll be landing in a minute."
The Commander guided the flyer over the city to the center, where the Avenue to the Stars Control Base was located. He flew into a hanger through the open ceiling and landed.