Title: The Guardian

Author: Lorr

Genre/Rating: General

Characters: Weir, Sheppard, Beckett, McKay, Teyla, Ronon

Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis and all therein belong to others, sad to say. I'm just visiting again.

Spoilers: There is a single reference to Epiphany, but I do not think there are any spoilers. I apologize if there is. This takes place any time after that episode.

Background: The idea popped in, so I had to run with it. I have continued one idea from a previous story. It is that Sheppard actually gets feedback or information from some of the Ancient technology that no one else experiences. I think it is such a logical concept, I have to use it.

Again, many thanks to the reviews from previous stories. It's good to know people are reading and enjoying the work.

The Gate was in a high geosynchronous orbit above the planet. P4G-935, or Arunia to the inhabitants, was rural, like so many of the other planets they had visited. John Sheppard circled the Jumper above the largest town they could detect. Not that the town was large in Earth terms, but it was a fair size compared to most they had seen in the Pegasus Galaxy. They estimated something less than eight thousand people lived there. The streets were not narrow, but they saw no vehicles.

Tiny hamlets, each containing no more than a dozen or so buildings, seemed to be the only other communities. All of them were within an almost perfect circle defined by a radius of about sixty miles from the center of the town. Even the town was almost circular, the center point being the largest, and tallest, building. It was a square of about a hundred feet per side with three flat-roofed stories, each smaller than the one below.

The land bound by the larger circle was planted with neat rows of crops and orchards. Occasional fallow fields were dotted with small grazing animals. They saw people working with rudimentary farm implements in the fields.

The Colonel's team of Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagen and Ronon Dex peered out of the windscreen. The structure in the center of the town caught their interest. Its style and construction seemed out of place among the rougher stone and wooden buildings with peaked roofs. Sensor readings indicated the materials were different to anything else in the town.

"Well, everything looks intact. The Wraith haven't been here yet." Sheppard glanced over his shoulder at McKay, who was in the seat behind him, working with the Jumper's sensors. "Shall we take a look?"

"Yes, yes. I want to see that square building." McKay stared at the readout on the sensor. "There was a definite energy reading coming from it."

Sheppard landed the Jumper in a small field about half a mile from the edge of the town. As the ramp closed, they headed for the town.

"Aren't you worried about landing so close? The people here can see it." Ronon glanced back at the uncloaked Jumper as they walked away.

"No place to park near the town where they can't see it." Sheppard responded.

"Then why did we have to park so far away?" McKay scowled.

"It's not that far, Rodney." Sheppard kept a straight face as he glanced at McKay's middle. "Besides, the exercise will do you good."

Teyla and Ronon suppressed a chuckle as the astrophysicist sucked in his stomach and puffed out his chest. They became serious again when they saw several figures emerge from the town and hurry toward them. Three were older men, dressed in robes of varying levels of modest splendor. Another four appeared to be in livery from eighteenth century Earth, though equally modest.

"My God, what is this, merry old England?" McKay muttered.

"Rodney." Sheppard warned him in a low tone as he smiled at the welcoming committee.

"Greetings! Greetings!" The best dressed of elderly men, a short, slightly rotund cherub, stopped in front of the visitors. He patted his heart twice with his right hand then bobbed up and down for a few seconds, puffing from the exertion. "Welcome to Arunia! I am Curnol, Second Assistant to Governor Wyndan."

"Lt. Col. John Sheppard." Sheppard smiled. He waved at the others. "This is Dr. Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagen and Ronon Dex.. Pleased to meet you."

"It is very good to meet you. May I introduce Lower Councilmen Delman and Anders?" Curnol bobbed again and looked past them to where the Jumper was parked. "Please. Please, come with us."

With one more look toward the Jumper, Assistant Curnol began to walk to the town. "There are legends about flying craft other than those of the Wraith, but we have never seen one before today. Are the Ancestors returned? Are you their emissaries?"

"We are not from the Ancestors." Teyla responded at Sheppard's nod. Her genuine warmth was invaluable in creating trust. "We are only visitors seeking trade."

"Not from the Ancestors? Ah! We had hoped they were returned. However, you are most welcome on Arunia." He bobbed once more and led them along a narrow street. "Governor Wyndan knows you are arrived and is quite anxious to meet you."

The visitors exchanged looks of amusement mixed with a tinge of concern. They stopped when the street emptied into a square bordered by the curious structure they saw from the air. The close-up look definitely proved it was not made of the same stone or wood as the rest of the town's buildings. The finish showed no signs of wear or age. It was too perfect to not be Ancient.

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Curnol turned into a smaller, two-story building opposite. He ushered them into a room comfortably containing two desks and several visitors' chairs. Papers and bound books were piled neatly on the desks. After another few bobs, he asked them to please wait while he informed the Governor of their arrival. Seconds later, the team was shown into an office half again the size of the first. It contained one unpretentious desk and two extra chairs. Bookcases lined one wall and a double window on another allowed in sunlight. Two men, in ordinary clothes, stood as they entered. One came out from behind the desk.

The Second Assistant formally introduced the visitors with a deeper than normal bob and surprising accuracy. "Governor Wyndan, First Assistant Trineer, it is an honor for me to present Lt. Col. John Sheppard, Dr. Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagen and Ronon Dex."

Wyndan, an average sized, middle-aged man, and Trineer, of equally average size and middle-age, placed open right hands over their hearts and bowed their heads. The Governor came forward with a wide smile on his face. "Welcome! We have not had visitors from the outside since the Ancestors left so long ago. Please, please be seated."

Two of the liveried escorts brought in chairs and arranged them in a semi-circle in front of the desk. They placed a small round table in the center. A tea service appeared out of nowhere and was deposited on it. When the flurry of people left and the door closed, only Wyndan and Trineer were left with the off-worlders. Wyndan pulled his chair from behind the desk and sat down. Lastly, Trineer sat and began to pour the tea.

"I understand you came in a flying machine. We did not know that any other than the Ancestors and the Wraith had such a thing." Wyndan offered as the cups were passed to his guests. He barely contained his excitement. "Are from Arunia? We did not believe there were other inhabitants on our world."

Sheppard smiled and set his cup on its saucer. "We come from Dantooine, a planet, far, far away."

The reaction from the Arunians covered questioning glances from McKay, Teyla and Ronon.

"Another planet! How did you come by the flying craft?" The Governor asked with great interest. "Did you bring it with you?"

"No, we found it on one of the planets we have visited. We believe it is from the Ancestors. We have seen evidence of them on many planets." Sheppard sipped his tea as he watched the Governor's reaction. He was happy to see genuine pleasure and surprise.

"The Ancestors! How fortunate for you." Wyndan turned and put his cup on the desk. "How did you come to find it?"

"Oh, just lucky, I suppose." The Colonel smiled.

"Are there many inhabited worlds?" Trineer spoke for the first time.

"We believe so. Possibly hundreds, even thousands." Teyla spoke warmly.

"Thousands. Imagine." The Governor looked at his assistant. "May I ask what brings you to us?"

"We came seeking trade, Governor." Teyla was gracious as ever. "We hope to open negotiations with your people."

"Trade with other worlds! Praise to the Ancestors! You honor us." Wyndan smiled and bowed his head.

"We saw that your people are farmers. Do you produce sufficient to trade?"

"Yes. We have fine grains, fruit and vegetables. And, our weavers produce excellent cloth." Wyndan's voice was filled with pride.

"Dr. Elizabeth Weir is our chief negotiator. She would be pleased to come whenever it is convenient for you." Sheppard offered.

"Dr. Weir would be most welcome. You are all most welcome. Trineer will begin making arrangements for our people to prepare their very best wares while I show you our city." Wyndan stood up. The assistant stood and bowed as well. "Please, do me the honor."

"Thank you." Teyla inclined her head as the visitors rose, picking up their weapons. "We would be very happy to see it."

"I assume these are…weapons?" The Governor looked at their guns, a slight furrow of worry on his brow. "You will not need them here."

Sheppard looked from his P-90 to the Governor. "Yes, they are weapons, but defensive only. It is strict procedure for us to carry them."

Wyndan thought for a moment then nodded. "I understand. Then, you are welcome to keep them, except in the Temple."

"Temple?" Ronon asked.

As they left his office, Wyndan indicated a painting on the wall which depicted the building across the square. "We owe our continued existence to the Ancestors. They left the Guardian to protect us from the Wraith. It is in the Temple across the square."

McKay suddenly found interest in an otherwise dull conversation. "Protect you? How does it protect you?"

"We do not know. It has been our ally for thousands of years. It is a weapon of unimaginable power that destroys the Wraith high in the sky." He stopped at the doorway, looking across to the Temple. A large group of young men and women were standing around the entrance. "We will come back later. The candidates will be a little longer."

"Candidates? For what?" McKay peered at the group.

"I will explain." The Governor turned to the left and headed down the street. "A Keeper controls the Guardian when the Wraith attack. We have three Keepers at all times. However, our eldest Keeper died recently and another has been injured. He is recovering, but is as yet unable to perform the duties of his office. That leaves Cernan alone as Keeper. He is also elderly. We had already begun the search, but we must find an apprentice quickly. All of our people study the history of the Guardian during their schooling, but more study and preparation are required for any new Keeper."

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Wyndan showed the team Arunia's schools, market square, museum, theater, hospital and a few shops. Sometime later they found themselves back in front of the main entrance to the Temple. The crowd was gone and only a few people were going about their business in the streets. The strangers attracted a few curious stares and some children followed them for a while, giving up when they discovered that the Governor himself was the guide or parents called them away.

Guards opened the Temple's large double doors as the group approached. The entry was a wide hall that stretched the length of the building. Two more sets of double doors were spaced evenly on the inner wall. More than a dozen life-sized busts on square stone columns flanked them. They were of varying ages, but most seemed young. Wyndan headed for the doors on the left. Another set of guards opened them. Inside several more guards waited.

The Governor turned to Sheppard and indicated the P-90s. "Colonel, you must leave your weapons here if we are to proceed. I hope you will understand that we cannot allow such things further. The Wardens will remain here with them."

Sheppard glanced at Teyla and nodded almost imperceptibly. Smiling, he unclipped the P-90 from his vest. After ejecting the clip and clearing the chamber, he handed it to one of the guards. Teyla followed suit, and they repeated the action with their side-arms. McKay watched then did the same. Ronon scowled, but handed his weapon over at a look from the Colonel.

When the Wardens finally stepped back, Wyndan bowed his head. "Thank you. I appreciate your understanding. We can go to the Chamber now."

----------

The walls of the room where they left their weapons were etched with symbols and drawings they could not make out with the available light. The Governor guided them through the room and into a small anteroom beyond. He finally stopped in a wide doorway. "This is the Chamber."

The Chamber was familiar to Sheppard and McKay. It was square, about twenty feet on each side, but it reminded them of the Aurora's virtual environment. Everything was pristine and the lighting had a strange, bluish hue. A single, three foot wide pedestal console stood in the center of the room. It was side-on to the door so the Keeper would be in profile of anyone entering the room. The light was dim, but they could not see any other consoles or screens.

McKay began to enter the room, but Sheppard stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. "Oh, sorry. Governor, may I?"

Wyndan thought for a moment then nodded. He stepped into the room first. "Please."

McKay followed him in and crossed to the console. He glanced around. The low light made it difficult to see clearly. "Is there a way to turn up the lights a little?"

"Only a Keeper can activate any of the Ancestors' technology." Wyndan pointed to the ATA sensor on the console. When McKay reached out, the Governor stepped closer. "Please, Dr. McKay."

"Rodney." Sheppard's voice carried a warning. He stepped over the threshold. The lights immediately came up and the console activated. He muttered under his breath. "Damn it."

Wyndan looked around in surprise. The two Wardens waiting with Teyla and Ronon at the door gasped. "Colonel, what has…?"

"Yes, yes, he can use the Ancestors' technology." McKay could not contain his impatience. He was itching to study the weapon. "I can, too, by the way, just…not as well."

"Can all of your people do so?"

"No, not all." Sheppard did not elaborate. "That's something we may be able to help your people with."

"How is that possible?"

"Where's the Guardian itself?" McKay interrupted, looking around the room for a door.

"The Guardian is nearby. There is no entrance to it, and we have never seen it." Wyndan spoke in hushed tones, the reverence in his voice was unmistakable. He could not take his eyes off Sheppard, who remained just inside the door.

McKay looked at the Governor in disbelief. "You've never been curious? Never wanted to see it?"

"No. We are quite satisfied that the Ancestors knew what they were doing. The risk of damaging the weapon is too great." Wyndan became more serious. He turned and escorted them out of the anteroom. "Once, many years ago, one of our Keepers did try to access the Guardian. Damage was done."

"What kind of damage?" McKay glanced back. "Everything seems to be in order."

"We do not know. Donnel was a curious man, a scientist." The Governor led them past the Wardens, who returned their weapons. He walked into the great hall at the front of the building and stopped in front of a statue of an older man. "We do not know what he did. He was the first Keeper to die in service of our people."

"The first to die?" Teyla looked at the bust.

"How do you know it was him?" Sheppard counted the statues. "That must have been, what, three thousand years ago?"

Wyndan nodded. "More. Donnel admitted he had attempted to access the Guardian. In hopes that no damage was done, our people did not try anything further. The Wraith attacked a few years later."

Sheppard tried to read the symbols on the small plaque under the bust. "How did he die?"

"Donnel was at his post when the Wraith arrived in our skies. He activated the Guardian's controls and destroyed the ships. When the Chamber door opened, he was found dead."

"Are you sure it was the Guardian that killed him? McKay frowned at the Governor. "Looks like he was pretty old. Could he have been ill or something?"

Wyndan shook his head. "It was thought, even hoped, that might be the case. However, every Keeper since has died while protecting our people."

"And, no-one has tried to fix it?" McKay's tone was appalled as well as a little hopeful. The thought of getting a close-up look at the technology was very exciting.

"No, we dare not. Our scientists do not have the knowledge. What if we did further damage?" The idea was obviously chilling to the Governor.

McKay was hopeful. "We may be able to help with this, too."

The Governor was hesitant. "We could not survive an attack from the Wraith without it."

"Dr. McKay has a great deal of experience working with the Ancestors machines. He would not harm it." Teyla said with confidence.

"Look, you should know the Wraith are awake and culling planets everywhere." Sheppard spoke quietly.

"We must redouble our efforts to find new Keepers." Wyndan was alarmed but under control. He glanced back toward the Chamber. "We would be grateful if you could ensure no more of our people die in service to their people."