Time Immemorial
Chapter 25: Bad Blood
July 17th
0552 Hours
As promised, McKay returned promptly to Dr. Weir's office with Ford and Teyla in tow. They sat - Teyla in the righted guest seat, McKay on the bench, Ford simply on the floor - eager for a few moments rest. Each were as befuddled as the physicist, but they maintained a cautious optimism about the urgent summons. Perhaps the major had come up with a plan.
Shortly after their arrival they were joined by Sheppard, herding a handcuffed Antigonos into the room. Ford and Teyla took to their feet, leery of the Lacedami's unexpected presence. The two marines serving as security escorts stood guard outside the office.
"Sit," John ordered the commander. He wheeled the last chair around from behind Elizabeth's desk and into the center of the room. Antigonos obliged without protest.
"So this is - was, shall I say - the office of the great Dr. Weir," Antigonos said, taking in the small personal touches evident of its previous owner. He closed his eyes and made a show of breathing deeply through his nostrils. "I can still smell her scent-"
"We're not here to talk about her, we're here to talk about you," John interjected. He unholstered his sidearm as warning.
Antigonos ignored him and the empty threat and continued to look about the space. He noted the damage incurred from the earlier firefight. Looking innocently at the major, he asked, "Lovers' quarrel?"
John rapped him smartly on the head with the barrel of the pistol. "If you want your head to end up like that busted window there, then please, keep talking."
"Very well, but I doubt Dr. Weir would have opened a negotiation with a strike to the head."
"Firstly, this is not a negotiation. Secondly, if you'd rather have discussed this with Dr. Weir, you probably shouldn't have killed her. Then she'd be in this office talking to you instead of me, which would have been a very good thing for you. I've always lacked her patience."
The commander fell silent, but not without a small smirk of satisfaction.
"Major, maybe you should sit down," Rodney whispered. "You don't look so great."
John threw him a tart look. Truth be told, he didn't feel so great, but he couldn't afford the time of a leisurely recovery.
"We're all eager to hear your plan, sir, but anything involving him," Ford whispered, pointing to the Lacedami, "has me worried."
"I know, Captain," John answered. "Just hear me out."
Ford wasn't convinced, but he deferred to his CO with a small nod.
"All right, listen up," John addressed his team, folding his arms. "Something's been bothering me all day. Something just didn't add up about these guys. The commander has been keeping something from us." He turned to Antigonos. "Anything you want to share with the class?"
The commander just stared straight ahead. Smiling wryly, John continued on.
"Here's the story so far. The singular goal in life of the Lacedami people, sworn enemies of the Ancients, is to kill all the Ancients' descendants as part of some bygone revenge scheme. That means you, me, and everyone else on this base, as well as everyone on Earth and on any other world the Ancients seeded. Elizabeth discovered that Antigonos planned on flying Atlantis to Earth via the City's star drive in order to accomplish that goal. Until we stopped them."
"Seriously?" Ford questioned.
"You know what they say: thou shall not covet thy neighbor's intergalactic spaceship city."
"And just how were you planning on flying this City to Earth without power, without a shield?" a flabbergasted Rodney confronted Antigonos. "See, the funny thing about space is that there's no air!"
"They could not have anticipated our power problems, Rodney," Teyla surmised. "They most likely assumed Atlantis was operating at full power as it always has been in the past-"
"They have a ZPM," John said suddenly, acutely aware of the ticking clock. "They've had one the whole time."
There were a few moments of pregnant silence as team absorbed the news, but John didn't have the luxury of allowing them time to digest.
McKay's eyes were as wide as saucers. "They have what-?"
"They didn't anticipate our power problems, no, but Antigonos wasn't going to leave the outcome of a multi-millennial war to chance. This was the very moment he and entire generations of his culture have devoted their lives to. You can bet he was going to come prepared. So they brought a ZPM with them, probably one left over from their alliance with the Ancients. The bastards knew we'd search their persons, and even search the first ship they sent over, so they sent it in with the attack wave. It's been sitting in one of their other ships this entire time." He turned to Antigonos. "Hasn't it, Commander?"
Antigonos simply sneered.
"And their list of planets with ZPMs they promised us?" Teyla asked.
John shrugged. "A lie. They sold us a bill of goods to gain our trust."
"Well, I've got news for you, buddy," McKay said to the Lacedami leader. "One ZPM isn't going to do the trick. I hope you brought three, because you need that many operating in parallel before you can even think of flying this baby."
"How do you know they only have one, sir?" Ford asked of his CO. "Maybe they did bring three."
"The odds are slim," John answered. "They're rare. No planet, no culture we've run into has had two let alone three."
"So if they only brought one ZPM... why didn't they just plan on Gating to Earth, instead of flying there? The Stargate only needs one ZPM to dial outside this galaxy, right? With these guys' knowledge of this place, they must have known that."
"An excellent point. Commander?" John prompted, he himself realizing the answer to Ford's query only minutes prior. "Care to shed some light on the captain's question?"
Antigonos remained silent.
"Their plan was never to get to Earth," John explained. "That was a lie, too. He may well and truly hate all the Ancients' descendants on Earth, but he's not dumb enough to show up with a knife to a gunfight. Assaulting a whole planet was a fight he couldn't win, and he knew it. Antigonos just planted the seed in our team's head. Destroying Atlantis, though, that he could do.
"Given a credible threat, he knew Elizabeth and I would take measures against him. Gating a small squad of Lacedami to Earth: not a credible threat. Flying an Ancient base with all its weapons, not to mention kinetic energy, straight at our home planet… well, that we'd take seriously. He knew we'd rather blow up the City than let it try to reach Earth with him at the helm. He knew we'd activate the self-destruct. The fact that only one of us entered our code, putting the system on standby instead of triggering the countdown, was a minor hiccup. But once he had my code, he wasn't going to activate the star drive. He was going to initiate the countdown, overload the ZPM, and bug out with his prized ascension device before the City blew. He was using us to destroy the City for him."
John addressed Antigonos next, a confidence once again bolstering his voice that had gone missing of late. "Did I get all of that right?"
"You all will still die by Lacedami hands before this day is through," Antigonos hissed. "If you think this revelation somehow earns you your salvation, you are woefully mistaken."
"Major, I don't have to tell how important that ZPM is to us right now," Rodney reminded.
"Agreed," John said, nodding toward the commander. "Which is why he's here."
"I will not allow you to steal from the Lacedami nation," Antigonos spat.
"We're not going to steal it. You're going to give it to us willingly."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because you screwed up. And now your ass is on the line just as much as ours are." The major shoved his hands inside his pockets. "Atlantis is about to be attacked by a fleet of inbound ships. We need the ZPM ASAP so we can power the shield. Without the shield, this place will be torn to shreds, along with everyone in it."
The commander nodded, taking in the information. "And tell me why I would assist in preventing this destruction of this City?"
"You've got to be joking... " Ford mumbled to himself.
Antigonos continued. "It seems as though this enemy fleet's arrival is a fortuitous blessing - a gift from the gods. We share the same goal: to destroy Atlantis. I say let them come."
"Listen, Spartacus," Sheppard pressed, "I could send my guys to tear into each one of your ships, but as you know they're parked all around the City and frankly I don't have the time. So are you going to make this easy for me and tell me which one the ZPM is in? Or are you content with dying with the rest of us in half an hour?"
"I would willingly give my life if it means your destruction."
"And the lives of your men?"
"Collateral." The Lacedami sighed wearily. "For all of our commonalities, that is what separates us, Major: your inability to make sacrifices for the greater good. I am disappointed you have not realized this by now."
"Would not the greater good be for everyone to live?" Teyla reasoned.
"Look," John picked up, "my people don't want to die. I'm pretty sure yours don't want to die. I'll even go out on a limb and and say that you don't want to die, either - not in vain, not without accomplishing your mission."
Antigonos shrugged. "If your mystery foe can accomplish it for me, then so be it. I still stand opposed to you and in support of them-"
"It's the Wraith."
The commander was suddenly stock still. His face hardened to stone. "You are lying."
"I wish I was."
"How?"
Rodney explained. "Remember that little beacon you used to so cleverly call your friends? You used an unencrypted, nonrandomized, omnidirectional signal generator, you moron! The whole galaxy could have heard it. Now, because of you, three Wraith cruisers are on their way here for an all-you-can-eat buffet. So thank you very much for that."
John carefully studied Antigonos for a reaction as Rodney spoke. As usual, his face remained passive, but at the mention of the Wraith's advance his brow pinched every so slightly. As the major suspected, the development was decidedly not part of the commander's scheme.
"How long until they arrive?" Antigonos asked of John.
"Thirty-two minutes." He didn't need to check his watch.
Antigonos looked at the faces of the expedition members. Some registered mistrust, others expectation. Here they were, begging him for help. He had a good mind to refuse.
"Commander," John pressed, "all I want is the damn ZPM so I can crawl back to my bunk and get some sleep. I need an answer."
"There is only one thing in this universe that exceeds my loathing of Atlanteans, and that is my loathing of the Wraith. They have taken too much away from the Lacedami people, from me, for me to simply let them pass by this corner of the galaxy." The commander looked to John. "We will cooperate."
John heard McKay let out a sigh of relief. He waited for Antigonos to offer up the info, but his opponent - former opponent - was silent. Arching his brow expectantly, Sheppard prompted, "There's no time like the present."
"If you want my full assistance, I have several terms."
Folding his arms, John expected as much. "Okay, let's hear them."
"First, I will not tell you which ship carries your precious ZPM. However, I will allow you to accompany myself and a small contingent of my men out to the ship to retrieve it."
Still seated, McKay took to his feet in protest. "Sheppard-"
John interrupted him with a hand and continued. "Fine. What else?"
"Secondly," Antigonos went on, "I insist that my men be allowed to assist you with defending the City. I will direct them to provide ground support when the Wraith inevitably invade these halls and initiate a hand-to-hand ground offensive."
Ford confronted the commander. "If you think we're just going to arm you guys and let you roam around on your own, think again."
"And if you think, Captain, that I will allow my men to be kept captive, defenseless, during a Wraith invasion, you are wrong."
"The major will never allow that." Aiden turned to his CO. "Isn't that right, sir?"
John's gaze found his boots before glancing regretfully at his subordinate. "Excuse us for a minute, guys."
Seeing that Sheppard was indeed about to go against the wisdom of Ford - and the shared sentiments of his other teammates - and acquiesce to the commander's demands, Teyla protested. "Major, this man murdered his own son. He will not hesitate to kill you or any of us when the opportunity first presents itself."
"I need to speak with the commander in private."
Teyla stood rooted to the floor, resolute. Her eyes burned with alarm.
"Teyla, please. I need you, all of you, to make sure the civilians are hunkered down good in the cafeteria. Make sure the area is well defended. Stand four marines at each entrance, understand? I'll meet you in the Control Room in ten minutes."
After a few moments of contemplation, Teyla relented. She glared threateningly at Antigonos before turning and exiting the office, McKay and Ford in trail.
"I take it that their dismissal was to spare them the sight of their commanding officer striking a deal with the likes of me, the murderous swine that I am, " Antigonos prodded. "Or perhaps it was to spare you the humiliation of their judging you for it."
"Or perhaps I'm about to kill you once and for all and don't want them to be part of it," John threatened.
Chuckling, Antigonos answered, "I believe we both know that is not the case."
"Maybe not yet."
"Then I look forward to that moment when you try, if and when it comes," Antigonos said with a regarding nod. "So, then, what will you do with my people?"
"Well, I was thinking of lining them up on the pier as a smorgasbord when the Wraith arrive. Maybe they'll get their fill and leave."
"But then you recalled how virtuous and magnanimous you are, and that only a scoundrel like me would commit such an atrocity," the commander said, his voice laced with derision.
"Something like that," John answered flatly. "The truth is, if we're going to make it out of this alive then we need your firepower. I've only got twenty or so marines in fighting condition, and though the rest of them might be chomping at the bit to take on the Wraith, I could really use your men on the line, too. I'm only doing this because I have no other choice. The only way I make it through this is if you do."
"You are wise to accept my offer, Major. We have an accord, then."
"Not quite. Not until you understand something," John said. He pulled a chair in front of the bound Lacedami and sat, relishing the brief respite. "But tell me this first: was that story about your wife true?"
"Every word."
Sheppard appraised the answer. "I believe you. I believe that you despise the Wraith down to your very core."
"Then you know my willingness to help you destroy them is genuine."
John looked Antigonos squarely in the eye. "I know the feeling of wanting nothing more than to kill the bastards who murdered the woman you loved-"
John stopped, disbelieving of the last word that had come suddenly from his own mouth. I loved her. I loved her. Christ, it's only after she's dead and to her own murderer that I can finally say it aloud. You goddamned coward.
Antigonos took the veiled threat in stride. "So you deduced that my plans omitted Earth, correctly surmised that I possess a ZPM, and are now playing against my desire for revenge against the Wraith. I am impressed. Well done."
John shook his head. "But see, here's the thing. I think that's not good enough, not for you. You may hate the Wraith, but I think you hate the Ancients more. Revenge against the Wraith isn't what brought you here in the first place. This City was. Taking down Atlantis has been the ultimate goal of the Lacedami people for millennia. You've lost your whole life to this. Hell, it's been bred into your DNA."
"A burden all Lacedami are willing to bear."
"No, this thing you have with the Ancients, it's not just a burden. It's all you have. It's your crutch. It's an obsession."
"My obsession," the Lacedami agreed thoughtfully. "Yes, and I have followed it for far too long. I am its slave, its goat. And one day it may choose to destroy me. It may even be this day… but if the Fates' design is to have me fight another day I will honor their plan."
"Not buying it," John countered. "I believe that you'd kill us all without so much as batting an eye, and I believe that you'd even leave your own people to die gruesome deaths. I might even believe your hatred for the Wraith is powerful enough that you'd stomach fighting alongside us against them, but what I don't believe, not for a minute, is that you'd accept failing your mission. That's what this all really boils down to. If at the end of the day Atlantis is still standing, thanks to you, and the ascension device still out of your grasp, you've lost. And you don't strike me as a good sport kind of guy."
Antigonos remained silent, neither confirming or refuting the claim.
"And for me," Sheppard went on, "that presents a problem. Because if by some miracle your added firepower is enough and we both make it through this Wraith attack alive, then we're back to square one. I'd have dozens of armed Lacedami troops scattered about Atlantis with no way to track their whereabouts and no way to judge their intentions. Can you see how that might make me a little uncomfortable?"
Sitting straighter in his chair, Antigonos replied coldly, "If you are somehow implying that my men will turn on yours the moment the last Wraith falls in order to complete the intended mission..."
"Hey, if the shoe fits..."
"I suggest you first consider this: it is not my men who were beaten and held captive only recently. It is not my men who saw their comrades fall. Therefore it is not my men who would be searching for reprisal. So before you so baselessly accuse my soldiers of plotting any atrocities against your own, perhaps you might ensure your marines are not doing the same."
Smiling humorlessly, John assessed his adversary. "First off, only one of us has lied to and conned the other, invaded their home, and slaughtered their people, so forgive me if I can't give the Lacedami the benefit of the doubt. Secondly, it's not your soldiers I'm accusing of doing the plotting. It's you."
Antigonos nodded. "I see. So you do not trust me and I do not trust you. Where does that leave us, then?"
"I'd say in a pickle. I won't say that 'we'll just have to start trusting each other' because we both know that won't happen. But we will have to start working together, right now. I'll order my men to lay down arms if and when the Wraith are destroyed. I suggest you do the same."
But the commander wasn't sold. "And after? Once the Wraith are vanquished and a ceasefire has been called, what sort of treatment can I expect for a former enemy who, as you so recently mentioned, 'slaughtered' your people? I do not suppose we will be allowed to simply part ways in mutual understanding."
John glared at Antigonos. "You took something from me. I want it back."
"Ah, I see. And are you referring to your dear, departed Elizabeth Weir or this base?"
Elizabeth, I really need you right now. "As much as I would love to see you face down on the floor with a knife in your gut, I'd be almost as happy if I never saw you or any of your people ever again. When the dust settles, I want Atlantis returned to us, and you and yours gone from this place. And don't ever come back."
"Ah, but Major, I am sure I do not need to remind you that we are sixty men strong. You are merely twenty - plus a pittance of useless civilians, of course. We could take this City. You are not in a position to make demands."
"Seeing as how you're still tied to a chair and your troops still locked up, I'd say neither are you. So, again, we're going to have to start working together."
Antigonos smirked. "Very well."
For the next several seconds, Sheppard evaluated the man before him and considered that he was only being told what he wanted to hear. He searched for another option as he had already done a thousand times over, anything that didn't hinge on their conniving enemy. But he already knew there were none. He needed their ZPM and their firepower. He only prayed that whenever the Lacedami decided to make their next move - for he was certain there would be one - that they weren't crazy enough to do it until the Wraith were defeated. He was confident they could deal with it then, whatever it was.
John stood to leave. "One more thing," he said. "Elizabeth may have cared about your people's history and its ties to our own. Hell, that might have even been our mistake. But let me make one thing clear: I don't give a shit about you, your people, or your cause. In fact, I despise you. All I care about now is keeping my people safe, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens - including feeding you to the wolves. If we're engaged with the Wraith in a skirmish we can't win, pride and glory be damned, I'm telling my guys to run. I will order them to leave your men behind."
Antigonos frowned in mock discouragement. "Come now. You would not turn your back on fellow humans, not against the Wraith."
"You may be human but you're just a different kind of monster. You're not us. And if I had to pick between us and you, I choose us."
"Now there is the side of John Sheppard I had hoped would surface-"
"And if at any other point you try anything funny, as 'virtuous and magnanimous' as I am, I will not hesitate to put a bullet in the back of your skull. You got that?"
The commander appraised him. "I would expect no less."
"Good," John said, bringing the conversation to a close. He turned to leave, hoping he was doing the right thing. "Let's get this over with."
TBC