Time Immemorial

Chapter 5: Apocryphal

July 16th
1530 Hours

"So you're telling me," John asked, "that the text in this book and the text on the Rosetta Stone are identical?"

"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed excitedly.

"But wasn't the Rosetta Stone a big slab of rock found in Egypt?"

"In 1799, yes."

"So… what's a copy of it doing here in the Pegasus Galaxy?"

"I haven't the slightest idea," Elizabeth admitted, "but that will be one of the first things I ask Antigonos when we sit down to talk later today. And it's not just the Rosetta Stone's text that they have. I didn't recognize them at first, but I also found excerpts from the Code of Hammurabi and several of Plato's works. The historical implications alone are staggering, not to mention the impacts on linguistics, social division, cultural development—"

"Whoa, okay, slow down for a second. Let's just assume for five seconds that I forgot what's so important about the Rosetta Stone."

Elizabeth exhaled and allowed herself to settle down. Where do I start? "Many credit the Rosetta Stone as the single most instrumental artifact leading to our understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics. It was created in 196 BC but wasn't discovered until the late 18th century. Twenty-three years and one changing of ownership later, the Stone was finally translated. On its surface, a single text is carved three times: once in hieroglyphics, once in Demotic, and once in Classical Greek."

"And here's another version in Ancient. What's it say?"

"The text itself isn't nearly as significant as its impact. It's primarily a tax reprieve for temple priests. But listen to this. It does recount a great war, which scholars have always assumed referred to a past Egyptian conflict."

"But you don't think so," John guessed.

"Not anymore, no. Listen and tell me what you think." She began reading a passage. "Those returning from the fighting that had occurred returned to their home; and the leader took all care to send soldiers and ships against those who came by the skies to make an attack on their fortress home; he assigned a force of footsoldiers and ships at the fortress's perimeter in order to watch over them and to protect the people; he spent a great amount in resources against these enemies in order to ensure that his people should be secure; but the enemy took them by storm in a short time; they overcame the resistance; he enclosed the fortress with a wall of water around it, damming it off, and abandoned the way of the gods. The people were forced to flee their home."

"The Siege of Atlantis," John recognized, dumbfounded. The passage recalled the Wraith's attack on the City, and how the shield was raised before the City was sunk into the depths of the ocean. "That's written on our Rosetta Stone?"

"Almost verbatim."

"So maybe this isn't a copy. Maybe it's the original."

"Maybe so. Other than the Lantean setting being replaced by ancient Egypt as a little reconstructive history, it's identical. It's amazing what a change in perspective can bring about, isn't it?" she asked with a grin.

"But you just told me the Rosetta Stone is 2,000 years old and was made on Earth. The war with the Wraith happened 8,000 years before that, in another galaxy. How would these Lacedami folks have any link to either Atlantis or Earth?"

"Maybe this civilization was a protectorate of the Ancients, and maybe some of their culture was passed on to Earth via the Ancients when the Ancients evacuated to Earth," Elizabeth speculated with a shrug.

"Well, if these people were so buddy-buddy with the Ancients, why didn't they evacuate with them?" countered the major.

Elizabeth frowned. She hadn't thought of that—

They were interrupted by the sudden arrival of Antigonos, Kyros, and Straton. Elizabeth quickly closed the book and turned to face the trio, feeling like a deer in headlights. Though she hadn't done anything unauthorized, the weight of the recent revelation made her feel suddenly… marked.

"Discover anything of interest?" the commander asked, eyeing her.

Clearing her throat, Dr. Weir replied calmly, "You could say that, yes. In fact, we'd like to invite you back with us to discuss some of your history as well as our peoples' future—"

"You would take us to Atlantis?"

Elizabeth exchanged a stunned look with John. They had both taken special care not to divulge their base of operations. "What makes you think we're from Atlantis?" she asked.

Antigonos frowned at her, disappointed. "Dr. Weir, do not take us for fools. Your ships could have only originated from one place. But do not be so assuming: though your people may reside there, you are not from the Great City."

John merely folded his arms and bit his tongue. He cocked an eyebrow toward Elizabeth, as if to say, "Your call."

She recognized John's displeasure but appreciated this rare demonstration of reserve. Still, his silent message rang loud and clear in her head: were these strangers worth the trouble? History lessons aside, Elizabeth still had a power crisis in need of fixing, and she had a hunch the Lacedami could help.

"Well, then," she answered Antigonos. "It seems you have us all figured out. Since you obviously know so much about Atlantis and have no need for our hospitality, we'll be on our way back." She turned to leave, getting John to follow. "I apologize for having wasted your precious time."

As Dr. Weir stepped through the tent's entrance with John in tow, she could practically time it…. Three, two, one –

"Wait," a voice called reluctantly over her shoulder.

Facing away from the group, she allowed herself a smile, relishing the small victory. Turning, she raised an eyebrow in mock inquiry as Antigonos and his two subordinates exited the structure.

"Forgive my prior insolence," the commander addressed the pair begrudgingly. With a phony look of humility plastered on his face, Major Sheppard suspected this apology was probably the most difficult thing the man had ever done. "Our people would be remiss if we did not accept your offer. We would be most grateful to learn of your history, and I hope this is the beginning of a promising relationship."

This time, Dr. Weir allowed her grin to show. Now that's more like it. "I hope so, too, Commander. I'll be upfront with you. In addition to learning about your culture, we're in desperate need of any power you could supply us. Ideally we'd like the use of a ZPM, a device that draws energy from vacuum space." It was a long shot, but she hoped that whatever connection these people had obviously shared with the Ancients had afforded them a ZPM or two.

"I am sorry," Antigonos answered. "I know of what you speak, but we do not possess these devices."

Elizabeth couldn't help her face from falling.

"But we do possess a list of planets on which these 'ZPMs' are located. Without access to an Ancestral Ring it has proven meaningless to us thus far."

Her eyebrows arching in surprise, Elizabeth blurted out, "Seriously?"

"After our people come to an accord, we can discuss it whenever you would like."

It was almost too good to be true. "We can leave as soon as you're ready," she practically blurted.

Yelling an order at a nearby group of Lacedami, Antigonos replied, "We are ready now."

John watched as the group of ten men jogged over and stood at attention in front of their commander. "Whoa, whoa, whoa – what do you mean, 'we'?"

"Myself and my people," Antigonos responded plainly.

"I'm sorry, but the invitation was for you and you alone. Look, we'll let you bring two of your pals, but no more."

"Major," Antigonos protested, genuinely surprised at the refusal. "You cannot be serious. Surely you can spare room for several of my men."

"Several?" John asked, looking at the large group around him. "You want to bring a whole platoon. After your little surprise party stunt earlier, there's no chance in hell I'm going to let any more of you onto Atlantis than I can count on one hand."

Pursing her lips tightly, Dr. Weir felt the sting of his words. This was not where she had intended this to head.

"Ah," the commander said, comprehending. "I see. You feel threatened by us." He stepped closer to the major, challenging. "Or is it simply that you do not respect us?"

John shoved his hands in his pockets, a sign of nonaggression. "Listen, we just met you guys a couple hours ago."

"And yet already you do not like my people."

"I don't trust your people," John bit back, stepping in toward the man. "I don't like you." His eye remained locked on Antigonos'; he held his breath in the heavy silence that hung in the air.

"I'm sorry, but three's the limit," Elizabeth maintained calmly.

Antigonos bristled. His eyes were fiery with rage as he held the major's gaze. After a moment's deliberation, his reply was simply to follow the two marines toward the parked Jumpers, Kyros and Straton on his heels.

John made to follow, but Elizabeth stopped him with a hand to his arm. Though her touch was gentle, he winced, knowing she would have some harsh words for him. He had regretted his choice of words immediately and had managed to avoid eye contact with Elizabeth until now. The pair watched in an uncomfortable silence as the three Lacedami and two marines departed. Once the retreating group was out of earshot, Dr. Weir reeled on the major.

"I don't think I have to tell you how stupid that was," she reprimanded heatedly. "That's twice in only a few hours that we've nearly blown this because we can't keep our mouths shut!"

"Hey, I was doing okay up until the very end there."

"Yes, but when it rains, it pours."

"The guy asked me what I thought of his people – what was I supposed to do, lie?"

"No, he already knew you didn't like him – and apparently the feeling's mutual. He was taunting you, and you took the bait. By blowing your cool, you failed his little test and now he feels he's got control over you."

John rolled his eyes. "Give me a break—"

"Shut up and listen to me!" Elizabeth interjected. Noticing the look of surprise on the pilot's face, she took a breath and started again. "I know what you think of my line of work, that it's… insignificant and superficial."

"You know I don't—"

She held up a hand to silence him. "But this is what I do. I know you think it's silly, but I've made a career of reading people. So believe me when I say that you're not a hard person to read, at least not to me. I can see that Antigonos has gotten under your skin. That's his goal. Now you may not think your little admission about trust was at all flagrant, but he's trying to chip away at your resolve and your cool. You just gave him his first victory against us."

John nodded, reluctantly accepting her assessment. The commander had gotten to him, though he was too hotheaded to notice it at the time. "I don't understand. Why's he so concerned with me? It's you he's dealing with."

"On the surface, maybe. But he doesn't truly recognize my authority; he's just going through the motions in the hopes that he can get somewhere with us. I think he sees you as the true leader."

"What, because you're a woman?"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps because he's only ever dealt soldier to soldier."

"Doesn't that bother you?"

"No. It can't," Elizabeth said simply. "Whether we like or agree with his methods and ideals is irrelevant. But furthermore, I also think he sees you as a challenge."

"A challenge? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"He sees you as a formidable opponent."

"Great, he knows where to find me—"

"He got to you first, won the first battle of wits, but he knows that he who wins the war wins the deal. Treaty Brokering 101. Understand now?"

John took it all in. There was a lot more going on than met the eye, at least his untrained eye. Because of his acting out, he had already set Elizabeth back on her way to negotiating an alliance with the Lacedami. And her job wasn't an easy one to begin with. He mentally kicked himself for making her life more difficult. It was his first time on an op in months and he was rusty. Just like that, he had let her down.

"Listen," he began quietly, ashamed. "I don't think your job is insignificant. I'm sorry—"

"Apology accepted," she said. "I just need you to know your role in this, John. I'm counting on you."

The importance of her words momentarily took him aback. Was she worried? He met her eyes and spoke with all the sincerity and strength he could muster. "I won't let you down. You can trust me."

"Always have," she replied softly. She took a deep breath. "But I also need to know from you that I'm doing the right thing here by inviting them back to Atlantis."

"Well, with their intriguing history, advanced technology, and the prospect of ZPMs, we'd be idiots not to. The first two things are perks, sure, but we absolutely need those ZPMs."

"About that... Let me ask you this: do you think Antigonos is merely telling us what he knows we want to hear in order to gain favor?"

John pondered that. "Maybe. But I think we have to take that chance. Some things are worth the risk."

Elizabeth nodded, glad that he agreed. "I just don't want to be leading us straight into another pitfall."

"I'll make sure that won't happen, I promise. If we do this, we'll do it right and we'll do it smart. We'll take every precaution we can. Believe me, we're starting this off the right way."

Despite his reassurances, Elizabeth still looked as if she was second guessing her decision. It was all about putting her people at risk. Every scenario that played through her head came back to that. All they could hope to do was mitigate it.

"Whatever you decide, I'll back you up, one-hundred percent," John added.

Elizabeth looked at him, his words bolstering her resolve. "Then let's show them our city."

The flight back to Atlantis was a blissfully uneventful one. John had elected to split up their trio of guests between the Jumpers – with no less than six marines in each ship watching their every move. Antigonos rode in Lt. Kirkland's Jumper while Kyros and Straton rode with John and Elizabeth. While Straton had elected to sit glumly back in the rear compartment, Kyros had excitedly pushed his way to the front cockpit. John noticed how he elected to sit as close to Elizabeth as possible. The entire flight back, the young man had enthusiastically peppered the major with questions on the spacecraft's functionality, control inputs, and performance. Dr. Weir had found John's slow transformation from patient teacher to annoyed pilot entertaining, and perhaps a little charming.

Touching down in the Jumper Bay, the squad of marines secured their gear and exited the craft before Straton and Kyros followed. John and Elizabeth brought up the rear. John noticed the older of the two men merely stood rigidly with his hands clasped behind his back, eyes staring ahead, face devoid of emotion. Kyros, however, could not have been more to the contrary. He gazed up at the faceted roof, spectacularly lit by the last of the afternoon sun, mouth agape in awe. His eyes trailed the other Jumper as it descended toward its landing pad.

John sidled next to Kyros, momentarily forgetting his exasperation with the boy and remembering the first time he himself had set eyes on the great City. "Kid, you ain't seen nothing yet."

The second Jumper landed and the passengers disembarked. Lt. Kirkland and his team were dismissed to the showers, the mess hall, and their bunks – much to their appreciation. Most of the marines were dismissed as well, but the remaining pair escorted the Lacedami to a provisional holding room in the corner of the Bay.

"Dr. Beckett, this is Sheppard," John called into his radio mic as he stood outside the room.

"Aye, go ahead," came the immediate reply.

"We've got some guests from the mainland we'd like to welcome in. Do you think you can spare a few minutes and give them the customary cootie check before we bring them inside?"

"Not a problem, Major. I've been starin' at my bloody computer all day and could always use an excuse to meet some new people. I'll see you in the Jumper Bay in five minutes."

"Thanks, Doc."

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was on another frequency.

"Rodney, this is Elizabeth, do you copy?"

After a lazy pause: "Ah, I see that you're back. How was the field trip?"

"It was…" she cast a long look to the holding room, "interesting. We've brought back some visitors that could potentially solve a lot of our problems. I'd like to show them around and then began trade negotiations. But before we do so, how are the repairs going?"

"Well, as you might have guessed, they are almost done. I am pleased to report that after several Nobel Prize-worthy breakthroughs, we are nearing 95% completion."

Elizabeth arched her brow, pleasantly surprised. Only several hours ago, Rodney had given her dire news and now he had completely turned it around. That man certainly has a flair for the dramatic. "That's… that's fantastic!" she exclaimed. "No more rolling blackouts? Can we resume normal activity?"

There was silence on the other end of the line. "Oh, you're talking about the power. No, no, we've made absolutely zero progress on that front."

Dr. Weir's face fell. "What? Zero progress… what did you think I was talking about?"

"I though you were referring to my Ancient ascension device I found. It's nearly repaired."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Rodney," she began as calmly as possible, "you've been working on that device the entire time we've been gone?"

"Pretty good progress for only a few hours work, I know."

"You haven't even looked at Atlantis' power system?"

A pause once again. "No. But don't worry, Zelenka's on it."

"By himself?"

McKay chose his words carefully. "Right now… yes. But… he won't be because… I'm going to see if he needs any help. Not that he isn't a capable scientist – don't tell him I said that – but, really, who couldn't use a hand from Dr. Rodney McKay—"

"Right now," she prompted.

"Right now," he agreed. And then in a rush: "Just as soon as I finish this one little—"

"Now, Rodney."

"Going." The scientist signed off.

"Rodney giving you a hard time?" Major Sheppard asked as Elizabeth approached.

"Nothing apart from the usual drama. That man certainly knows how to give me a headache. Sometimes I feel more like a preschool teacher than expedition leader."

"Yeah, it's too bad he knows he's a genius," John kidded. "Otherwise we could've just sent him to his room without supper."

"Hmm, tempting," she agreed. Elizabeth nodded toward the holding room. "What's the status?"

"Beckett's on his way to do the routine exam – wants to make sure these guys aren't unknowingly bringing in any foreign pathogens or other nasty bugs."

"Good. But in the meantime, let's make sure they aren't knowingly bringing in anything else." Joining the two marines and three guests in the small room, Elizabeth greeted Antigonos. "Thank you for waiting, and let me be the first to welcome you to Atlantis."

The commander made a show of glancing around the small cube in which they stood. He frowned disapprovingly. "Do you make it a point, Dr. Weir, to welcome all your guests with a visit to a holding cell?" He looked pointedly at the major. "Or only the ones you do not trust?"

Sensing John's hackles rise in response to the jab, Elizabeth silently willed him to remain quiet. She was relieved when, several seconds later, she felt him settle down at her shoulder. "Commander, I can assure you that this a routine matter. I insist that all of our guests undergo a brief medical exam to ensure no alien pathogens, even ones that your people may unknowingly harbor immunity to, are brought into the City."

Antigonos did not look pleased, but must have at least respected Elizabeth's desire to look after her people. He nodded in consent.

"Thank you," she replied. "I'll also have to ask your cooperation in performing a cursory search of your persons to confirm the absence of any… dangerous objects."

"Weapons?" the reticent Straton queried.

"Or any other harmful items, yes," Elizabeth responded tactfully.

"Dr. Weir," Antigonos scoffed, "I hope you do not think us so brazen. I assure you, we possess no weapons."

"I'm sure you're right. Nevertheless, we have to check. Sergeant Hernandez will simply perform a pat-down search of each one of your persons. It will take less than thirty seconds—"

"I will do no such thing! This is unacceptable!"

The commander's sudden and unnerving change in mood prompted John to reposition himself next to Elizabeth. He placed a hand on his holstered sidearm as a silent warning. Sergeant Hernandez and his partner must have sensed it as well, for they did they same.

"This is not in any way a discriminatory act against your people," Elizabeth insisted, unwilling to back down. "As I've said before, everyone visiting Atlantis—"

"It is an insulting charade!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but it's policy."

"Whose policy—"

"Mine."

John could practically see the steam pouring from Antigonos' ears. He had seen the man riled before, but for the first time he looked utterly… rabid with rage – so much so that the commander looked like he wanted to physically hurt Elizabeth. And within the small confines of the cell, John was beginning to worry about her safety. One swift stride and the commander could have his hands around her neck. John's fingers wrapped around his Beretta's grip just a little tighter; his finger discretely flicked the safety off. He could get one shot off before that happened….

"All right," wafted a jovial voice from outside the room's entrance. It was thick with a Scottish brogue. "I dinna normally do house calls, but which one of our lovely visitors would like his checkup first…?" Carson's voice trailed off as his stumbled onto the tense scene. The stark stillness of the room caused him to pause mid-stride, medical bag in hand. "Okay," he breathed nervously, more to himself than anyone else. "What did I miss?"

"Doc," John cautioned in a measured tone, eyes still locked on Antigonos, "I think that maybe you'd better wait outside."

"I think you're right, lad," was the meek reply. Eyes wide as saucers, Beckett slowly backed out of the door from which he had entered. The momentary disruption had the effect of jolting the group back into the present.

"Commander," Dr. Weir resumed calmly. "I would hate to see this end before it had a chance to begin. But I will not allow you onto this base without searching each one of you first. It's your call."

The muscular commander simply drew a deep breath, as if burdened by the incompetence of his hosts. "I will not subject myself and my people to such impertinence merely for the 'privilege' of meeting you. As I have said before, you may reside here, but you are not the Ancestors."

Elizabeth merely nodded, accepting his decision. She extended her arm toward the door. "Then the Jumper Bay is this way."

"Wait!" the uncharacteristically silent Kyros interjected. "That will not be necessary." He looked to his commander, an apologetic expression on his face, before addressing Elizabeth. "I will undergo your tests."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in amazement. This kid had tact that belied his age, and more mettle than the two older men combined. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "Now just stand with your arms out to your sides."

Backing away, Dr. Weir let the sergeant in to search the young man. She noticed Antigonos' countenance contort with fury, but yet he remained reticent. She hoped Kyros wouldn't be punished once the trio was out of her and John's presence. The sergeant gave Kyros the standard pat-down one would get at an airport: thorough enough without being invasive. After determining that there were no smuggled items hidden within the folds of his tunic, Sergeant Hernandez gave the all-clear signal to Elizabeth. Her team noticeably relaxed.

"That is all?" Kyros asked her, surprised and still standing awkwardly with his arms out.

"That's it," Elizabeth answered. She hid a smile. "You can put your arms down now."

"What about the… 'medical exam'?"

Again, she raised an eyebrow. Dare she assume that the curious young man was having fun with all the exciting new experiences being thrown at him? Motioning Dr. Beckett back into the room, she marveled how starkly Kyros' enthusiasm accentuated his teammate's depravity. Elizabeth watched as Carson waved his Ancient handheld scanner across the Lacedami's body. Kyros' eyes keenly tracked the motion of the device. Upon completion, he tried unsuccessfully to peek at the screen's readout.

"What does it say about me?" he asked plainly.

"That you are the perfect picture of health – no bugs, no broken bones, and in bloody good shape," Carson replied with a kind smile. "And that you are makin' me feel like an old butterball, lad."

Clearly, Kyros didn't comprehend the entirety of Carson's prognosis but he was pleased nonetheless.

"All right now," Beckett continued, "who's my next patient, then?"

Not surprisingly, neither Antigonos nor Straton volunteered. Not wanting to force the issue, Elizabeth hoped the heavy silence would be enough to pressure one of the men into stepping forward. It was. After throwing a harsh scowl first at Elizabeth and then at Kyros, the commander allowed Beckett to perform his examination. After getting a clean bill of health, Sergeant Hernandez then verified the absence of any concealed weapons. Straton's assessments yielded the same findings.

"Thank you, all of you, for adhering to our rules," Elizabeth addressed. "I know it was trying, but your cooperation means a lot. Now that we've gotten all the unpleasantries out of the way, I thought we'd start with a tour of the City."

She was met with the hard eyes of Commander Antigonos, who did not so much as nod in accordance. Wow, tough crowd, she thought. "Okay, then in that case, please follow Sergeant Hernandez. He'll take you to the Gate Room where you'll begin your tour with Teyla."

The sergeant led the way out of the staging room, followed by the three guests and the corporal. After a brief cut across the Jumper Bay, they descended a flight of stairs into the Control Room.

Elizabeth watched them leave, relieved that they were finally gone—

"Elizabeth, I noticed somethin' odd about their medical scans," a voice interrupted.

Startled, Dr. Weir resisted the urge to jump. "What is it, Carson?"

"Nothin' terrible, to be sure. It's only that they're in impeccable shape with no traces whatsoever of even the slightest illness. I was wonderin' if I could get them to volunteer for some more testing – for my own curiosity's sake."

Elizabeth snickered. "I think you'll have better luck getting Rodney to eat a lemon. I don't think it's wise to ask them all to go through that again. We're already on thin ice. But you might want to see if you can pull aside Kyros. He might be the one patient on this base who'd actually be thrilled to pay a visit to the infirmary."

"Aye, thanks for that," Beckett responded wryly to the quip. He left to go find the young man.

Finally, Elizabeth let breathe a sigh of relief. She turned to John, who had positioned himself against the back wall, arms folded. "You've been quiet through most of this," she noted.

He tossed her one of his patented crooked grins. "I thought I'd stay out of your way this time."

She wasn't satisfied with his answer. "A penny for your thoughts."

He simply shrugged, baffled. "I don't know. I can't put my finger on it. Yeah, these guys are jerks… but something else still creeps me out about them."

"I know what you mean," she agreed, wandering in his direction. She leaned back to share the same wall. It felt good to relax. "But at least we got Antigonos to finally show us his true colors. We finally won our first battle. I think I really struck a chord with him."

"I think you really pissed him off," John corrected, somewhat satisfied with the reaction she had induced in Antigonos.

Elizabeth, however, wasn't as amused. "That's what I'm afraid of. He's a… frightening man when he's irate."

Catching a hint of anxiety in her voice, John pushed away from the wall to study her. He could tell she was trying to avoid eye contact. Using his thumb, he gently tilted her chin upward and forced her to look him in the eye. He didn't like what he found there. "He really got to you, didn't he?" John asked delicately.

"Maybe – I don't know," Elizabeth responded reluctantly. "These people can be invaluable allies, perhaps the greatest thing that could happen to us since arriving in Atlantis." She looked at him sternly. "But I have a feeling that they could also be our worst enemies if we ever got on their bad side. And right now, the one thing we have a surplus of is enemies. Quite frankly, I don't know if I'm comfortable with risking the future of everyone in this City based off of my feelings."

"I am," Sheppard responded plainly. "And I think I can speak for Teyla, Ford, McKay, Beckett, and Radek when I say that they all are, too. We don't doubt you, not for a second. You shouldn't doubt yourself, either. Listening to that little voice inside saved my ass more times than I can count, so you're doing the right thing by being cautious with these guys."

Elizabeth pondered his words for a moment. She didn't want to tell John just how dangerous she thought Antigonos was. He was smart, cunning, and deeply perceptive – all things she feared in an adversary – with an added dash of the worst ingredient of all: fiery ambition. She also sensed a simmering rage beneath the surface, something she didn't want to disturb. She had to beat him before he broke her, or John, down.

"We did learn one thing, at least," she voiced aloud.

"What?"

"They wanted to come here, badly. The commander put up with dealing with a woman. He acquiesced to taking only two of his comrades on this visit. He allowed a thorough search of his person and a detailed medical exam to be performed – both, apparently, extremely offensive in his mind. So why would he put up with all of that just to be here?"

Shrugging, John answered, "Beats me."

"Because there's something here that they really, really want – something they endured all the trouble for, something that they haven't told us about." Elizabeth smiled at the prospect of a challenge. "We just have to figure out what it is."

TBC