Howdy
Brother Mede hoped the simple plan would work. He anticipated his excuse of building morale would also fly. So far it had. For the first time, workers would be allowed within the abbey's walls. Tables had been set up in the courtyard. While the field hands enjoyed their meal, the Protectors would train in the segregated smaller courtyard. If Col. Sheppard's people were there, it would be the best chance for them to be seen.
He entered the anti-chamber wringing his hands and met with the Facilitators.
"I'm a little nervous; we will have an audience today. After my journey into Mina yesterday and with all the news of cullings, I believe we can send a message of preparedness and comfort. The Venerable and the High Abbot agree with me." He grinned excitedly and finished, "Let's go fulfill our duty."
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She stood on the balcony to the High Abbot's apartments careful to keep out of sight. Curiosity got the better of her. She convinced Refra to bring her today. She just had to see that self-righteous, egotistical man reduced to a mere shadow of his former self.
To bad Beckett was not here but he received the gifts of their dead bodies. That counted for something.
She- Arna Gezble, former First Mender- had been summarily dismissed by the new government because of the loss of diplomatic ties with the Atlanteans. Proconsul Amon had been only asked to retire. She was dumped like so much putrid refuse and kicked off her home world.
She heard they wanted to reestablish contact with the Atlanteans. They were culled before they had the chance. That was just too bad.
She watched the Facilitators turn their cubes on. He blinked into a misty existence along with the others. A self-satisfied smile crossed her lips. Beautiful.
Refra appeared at her side.
"Did I lie? They are warriors of great skill, are they not?" She produced her feline smile looking at her trapped mouse down in the courtyard. She was very proud of herself.
"You were right. The abbots were initially upset that they had not volunteered but what are they going to do now?" Refra brushed lint off his coat. "So Brother Mede will work with what they've got. They have been training, all be it reluctantly at first."
Refra fixed a conniving gaze at Arna. "You know them better than you let on originally."
"We crossed paths before. I really want to chat with the one called Sheppard. Alone if possible." She purred the request to keep her other mouse trapped.
"You have a grudge." Refra quirked his lip up. "You wanted a little vengeance; am I right?"
"You caught me Refra. Let's say he and his people took away my life and my honor amongst my people. I owed them one. Although, I left their honor intact."
"Thanks to you Arna, they will provide a great service to Mina. They will protect us against the Wraith." He put an arm around her shoulder. "You really think their people will come looking?"
"It's a possibility. Just keep them out of sight and mouths shut."
"Actually, the abbots are using them as a morale booster and I happen to agree with them. Look now." Refra pointed to the crowd of workers filing into the courtyard.
Her head turned quickly towards him and she shot him a condemning glare. "You idiot," she spat. "Stop it now."
"Arna, their bodies were dead. No one will come."
"There is a puzzle to be solved. Their people are quite adept at solving puzzles, you fool."
Refra was taken aback as if seeing the person next to him for the first time.
"Have there been any strange or unexplained Ring activations?" She asked sliding from under his arm and facing him.
"Only one, late yesterday afternoon. It only lasted a few counts and no one came through."
"They are already here. They have communication devices and were reporting back to their people." She looked down at the field workers. A murmur was rippling through the crowd as they noticed the Protectors.
"Get your guards to search that rabble immediately. There is a conspiracy against you and these priests are in on it!" She gripped the balcony not caring who saw her now.
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As the blended team gathered at a table to eat their meal, a murmur arose in the ranks.
"The Protectors!"
It was a reverent exclamation from the group of workers. Lorne followed the excited faces to a fenced off area of the courtyard. On the other side of the wrought iron was a group of…
"Ghosts? What are they?" He thought out loud. Then he recognized three of them. "Holy shit!"
At his subdued exclamation, the others looked up.
"Col…?" Jones started recognizing his C.O. immediately.
"Keep it shut. Don't say another word," Lorne ordered.
What the hell was this? What had these people done to them? How in the hell do you fix this?
Lorne looked at Halling and asked, "Can you get a closer look?"
"I will try," replied a stunned Halling. He motioned to Janna to follow him and the crowd.
Everyone in the courtyard was pushing their way to the fence to get a better look. The excitement was tangible. It pulsed through each individual until faces and bodies were squeezed up against the iron.
The Protectors and Facilitators continued with their lessons seemingly oblivious to their audience.
Suddenly, a firearm report went off startling the crowd. People backed away from the guard with the weapon only to be stopped by another then another. Confusion and panic gained a foothold in the crowd. Shoving and pushing began as people tried to get away.
The guards were trying to steer the workers back to the tables.
The training stopped immediately. Lorne stood on the table and kept an eye on his transformed C.O. Instead of Sheppard looking at the commotion in front of him, his attention was at something up and behind Lorne's position.
"Williams discreetly see what he's looking at," Lorne whispered getting down off the table.
Williams directed his attention to the balcony.
"Fuck me."
He knew that face.
He had held a gun on that woman while performing another rescue.
Now she was smugly waving to the Colonel and blew him a kiss.
Williams looked back at the Colonel who gave her a hard, defiant stare in return.
Then without so much as a hardy high-ho Silver, Sheppard disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
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A/N: Okey Dokey now, I believe Sheppard might be a little peeved. Stay tuned and please feel free to review.