"It Runs in the Family"
Ch. 4
Disclaimer: I don't own the producers version of Atlantis. They do. I do, however own this version of Atlantis, Dr. Trisana Fox, and the whole Daniel Jackson Family.
(Atlantis, Control Room)
Everyone's had a little time to get used to their new situation. Ford is organizing the Atlantis crew and the Athosians in the Control Room area.
"People, listen up. No one gets to sit down until they've cleared two pieces of equipment off this deck. Now let's go," Lt. Ford ordered.
(Up at the control desk.)
"The last zero point module is depleted, but limited power. Turned out that our generators aren't going to hold back an ocean. Life support systems are working but the planet's atmosphere's breathable – well, notwithstanding the inevitable allergens," McKay was saying.
"So now our Naquida generators can supply enough power to the shield for defensive purposes?" Tris asked.
"Not even close," was McKay's answer.
"On the surface without a shield? We're target practice," Sheppard said.
"I'm acutely aware of that, Major, but thank you for reinforcing it," McKay said, trying to sound polite.
"When can you tell me where the Wraith took Colonel Sumner and the others?" Major Sheppard asked.
"Even with the six symbols Lieutenant Ford provided there are still hundreds of permutations …" McKay said.
"Seven hundred and twenty," Sheppard told him.
"Yes. I knew that of course. I'm just surprised you did," McKay said.
"Take away the co-ordinates you can't get a lock on, and that's your one. When you find it, send it up," Major Sheppard said.
"Major, a word," Daniel said.
He leads Sheppard and Weir away from the others. As they approach a glass wall, to their surprise it automatically slides open. They walk out onto a balcony. There's a gentle breeze. They walk to the edge of the balcony and look down at the ocean. After a moment, Sheppard remembers why they came out there.
"Let me guess: you're not gonna let me rescue my people," Sheppard said.
"We don't even know if they're alive," Weir said.
"You don't leave people in the hands of the enemy. And the fact that we are having this conversation in private lets me know that you know damn well that it's wrong, and it will totally undermine your leadership. So as ranking military officer I …" Sheppard said, frustrated.
Daniel understood John Sheppard's frustration. He wanted to do something as well. Daniel realized that after the seven years of being on SG-1 and around General O'Neill, he finally wanted to take action. To take the military route. He would never be agreeing with John seven years ago. But, he needed to back Dr. Weir up. She needed it.
"Alright, just shut up and listen to me for a moment, alright? Come on, what do we know about the Wraith? One of the few things we do know is that they are the enemy that defeated the Ancients. When we first began to use the Stargate we found on Earth, we got ourselves into serious trouble – why?" Weir said, sternly.
"I don't need a history lesson …" the major said
"Because the people in charge didn't consider the ramifications before they reacted," Weir told him.
"They took our people – how am I supposed to react?" Sheppard asked.
"And we're defenseless – you said so yourself. How do you know going off on some half-assed rescue mission isn't going to bring them all right back here to our doorstep?" Weir said.
"Maybe it will. But it's the right thing to do. Why? Because it is!" Sheppard said, angrily.
"John …" Weir sighed.
"If we're not gonna do this – and I mean right now – let's just turn tail and pack up, because they're coming," Sheppard said sternly and clearly.
Daniel remained calm and listened to the Major. Weir looked absolutely furious.
"Our people are in the hands of the enemy, Doctor. Do you know what that means? It is just a matter of time before the Wraith figure out that this is the base of our operations," the Major said.
"We just need more information," Daniel said.
"We weren't there for more than a few hours before they showed up," Sheppard said.
"Is it possible they came because of you, and that one of these people you brought back here with you tipped them off?" Weir asked.
"It's possible," Sheppard said, slowly.
"See, that is exactly the kind of snap decision I'm referring to!" Weir snapped.
"They're not all bad people, and, you know, if we're gonna stick around here, we . . ."
"Okay. I see your point. Now you see mine: We will not authorize a rescue mission unless I am sure there is at least a remote chance of success. I'm not sending more good people, including you, to their deaths," Weir said sternly.
"Okay," Sheppard said before walking away back into the base.
Daniel leans on the balcony and looks out over the ocean. He needed anything to help. If it's the one thing he's learned while at the SGC was that they never leave their people behind. Never. He then looked up, getting an idea.
(Atlantis, Lab)
McKay, Beckett, Weir, Tris and the twins were in an Ancient lab talking. Tris was telling McKay, Weir and Beckett about the girls.
"So, you three are witches, huh?" McKay asked, not believing a word Tris had just said.
"No," Tris said. "We're mages, not witches."
"Aren't they the same things though?" Weir asked.
"No," she said, firmly. "There are no such thing as Witches, anyways."
At the corner of her eye she noticed the girls look at one another, smile, give a little giggle and raised their hands slowly.
"Oh, Rodney, by the way, are you afraid of heights?" Tris asked him.
Everyone looked at her.
"Well, are you?" she pressed on.
"Not at all," he replied, with dignity.
"Good. Then you don't mind Hope and Faith show you their power, then?" she said. She turned her head to the twins. "Go ahead girls."
There was a small purple and blue bubble floating just inches from each of the girls palm. The twins then put their bubbles together and it began to expand into one big one. With their collective magical force, threw it at McKay. As soon as the bubble touched the scientist, it engulfed him and he was soon floating in mid-air.
Hope and Faith were laughing hard now and Tris was grinning proudly. Dr. Beckett and Dr. Weir were both looking at Tris, to the girls and up at McKay and then back to the twins.
Daniel came running in. He stopped and took in deep breathes. Daniel, then looked up.
"Um, Tris," he said.
"Now, do you believe that we're Mages, Rodney?" Tris asked.
"Yes," he answered feebly.
"Good," she turned to the girls. "Okay, you can let him down now, girls."
The twins put their hands into a fist and the bubble was gone. McKay yelped as he fell from the air, But Tris stopped him with her Telekinesis before he hit the ground. McKay staggered a little as he got to his feet.
"Are you alright, Rodney?" Weir asked as she helped him up.
"I'll be fine," he said shakily.
Trisana turned to her husband.
"What is it, Honey?" she asked him.
"Tris, how big of a Force Field can you create?" he asked.
"I don't know. The only thing I've been able to do is create one for the Amazon Village." Tris answered. "But, I could try."
"I'll schedule a team to find some rocks ASAP," Daniel said.
"Excuse me?" Dr. Beckett cut in. "What Force Field?"
"I can put a spell on different types of rocks, place them around any village or city and it will form an impenetrable force field," Tris explained, picking up Hope.
"Now, that is bloody handy," Carson commented.
"Except for, why didn't you tell us before?" Weir asked, folding her arms.
"I didn't think of it, until Daniel reminded me of it just now," Tris shrugged. "I haven't used the spell since the twins were born."
(Atlantis Control Room)
After Daniel sent a team to recover two containers full of rocks he made his way to the Control Room. A MALP has been sent through to the Stargate co-ordinates that Ford memorized.
"We're receiving visual telemetry," Peter announced.
"I can't see anything," Weir said, looking at the screen.
"No atmospheric readings at all," McKay said.
A round object flashes past on the screen.
"Wait, what was that?" Sheppard asked.
"Rotate the camera," Daniel commands to Peter.
The camera pans around and shows a round bright light, then moves around further to show that the MALP is floating way above a ringed planet. As the camera pans some more, we see the Stargate drifting in space. The round object is presumably another planet (or moon) in the system, and the light was the sun.
"Well, there goes that MALP," Daniel sighed.
"It's in space!" Sheppard said.
"It's in high orbit around a planet on the far side of the galaxy," McKay said.
"You're sure this is the right address?" Weir asked McKay.
"It's the only one we could get a lock on," McKay answers.
"Very well. Shut it down," Daniel commands and then turns to Sheppard, "I'm sorry." Daniel walks away as the Gate shuts down.
McKay suddenly has a thought. He turns to Sheppard, "Come with me, Major." He walks away as Sheppard follows.
(Jumper Bay)
McKay has taken Sheppard to a bay. In the bay are several small lozenge-shaped ships, stacked in rows one above another. McKay and Sheppard enter one of the ships from the rear. As they walk in, the lights automatically come on. There are two seats at the front end, with a control panel in front of them. As Sheppard touches the panel, it lights up.
"Think you can fly it?" McKay asked.
"What do you say we find out?" Sheppard sits down in the left-hand seat.
To be continued . . .