Chapter 3 – Gathering Nuggets
An hour later, Ancient Lantean citizens were still interviewing each of the modern Atlantis personnel.
"Yes, the city is going to fall in the not very distant future. I believe that most of you do get away by gating to other worlds, and some of you ascend." Sheppard was relaxed and just repeating the same material again and again to his Lantean interrogator.
"No, I am not sure of exactly what the Wraith do to Atlantis to bring about its downfall." Teyla was also getting nowhere with her Lantean.
"I am from Earth, ten thousand years in the future. We discovered the Gate address for Atlantis a few years ago in your outpost on the continent we call Antarctica, came here, and we now occupy the city." Rodney's voice rose in volume and tone, betraying the frustration with the repetition of his story.
"I only got to Atlantis a few months ago when I was transferred from Earth. We still have a problem with the Wraith, but they haven't tried to attack since I arrived." Mel was as weary as the other three of repeating herself.
Ronan didn't have as frustrating a time as the other four since he had engaged his interrogator in a staring contest and refused to answer his questions.
The five Lanteans who questioned the team met together in the conference across the way from Elizabeth's Weir's office. Or what would eventually become her office.
"Did you find out anything more from the one called Sheppard?" Janus asked the woman, Salacia, to his right.
"No. He repeated the same thing that the other four people told us."
"Actually, mine did not speak at all. I think he is the one called Ronan Dex," said the man, Aquilon, to Janus' left.
"So, what have we learned?" Janus wanted the others to help him fill in the gaps.
"Atlantis will fall in the next few cycles. The Wraith will not get the city because we sink it and tether it to the sea floor," said another woman, Salus, across from Janus.
The last of the five, Portunus, sighed heavily before adding his information. "Some of us leave through the Gate for other places, and some of us ascend to a higher state of being."
"Do you think it is possible that these people are just who they say they are?" Janus asked.
Salacia nodded her head. "They believe that they are telling us the true nature of the future."
Portunus concurred. "The tales that they weave are not preposterous. It is possible that the Wraith will overtake us soon and we will be forced to do desperate things."
"But abandon our home?" Salus's voice had a sadness in it that the others could relate to.
"Apparently we are left no other option. But now that we are forewarned, maybe we can begin to prepare for this battle." Aquilon looked at his fellow Lanteans, looking for strength and courage.