"It wasn't the Ancients, well, it was but they didn't make you guys." Rodney said excitedly.

Max, still mostly asleep and deeply confused slowly blinked and glanced at Lorne. Lorne, for his part, was frowning at Rodney and carefully keeping either from getting a good look at the canvas he was working on.

Max had dozed off in the warm sun while Lorne worked on what she referred to as his secret painting. It was a non-duty day and most of the team was relaxing somewhere else in the city. Rodney considered his project with the immortal quickening bomb too exciting to hit pause on so had spent most of his day reviewing data trends. Or so Max had thought based on the team's chat the day before about their plans.

"Who did?"

"It was the Furlings, I think. I think – okay we know the Wraith evolved from Iratus bugs." Rodney said tucking his pad into his jacket.

Max thought about the mission reports on John's near transformation after being infected by a different kind of wraith mutant. "So you think they were created based on the Iratus bug, not natural creations."

"Right yes, and based on what we know of Ancient technical skills it seems likely that they made the wraith. Maybe they were freaking out about ascension failing again or –"

"Maybe they were just being casual monsters again." Max muttered. For all that the milky way seemed to nearly worship the Ancients in her books they were responsible for more than a few atrocities and far from deities.

"Uh sure, or that. Point is, we know the Furlings referred to Carthis as a place to make guardians and we know that Wraiths cannot survive contact with you people."

Both Lorne and Max winced at Rodney's choice of words.

"So you think they made us as guardians against the wraith?" Max sighed and stretched. She wished Rodney had found some other way to occupy himself on a day off. Napping in the sun had been delicious.

"Yes, exactly that." Rodney said smugly.

"Does that change anything Dr. McKay?" Lorne asked. He was starting to clean up his work anticipating an early conclusion to the day of rest.

"Yes, no well, it might?"

Max stretched cat-like and slowly rose to her feet while continuing to stretch and yawned at Rodney as she straightened. "Right, how?"

"Uh, well, I'm not sure yet, I need to talk to Carson." He admitted then glanced between them and grunted, "I'll uh, go do that …now" He said and hurried off.

"Dinner?" She asked Lorne. He laughed and nodded. She left first, leaving him time to finish up and get his canvas stowed safely away. She stopped at her quarters to shower and change before meeting him in the main chow hall.

"Where's Rodney?" Max asked as she met the rest of the team and Lorne over dinner.

"He's got Carson cornered." Ronon said with a smug little smile.

"Ugh, Furlings vs. Ancients?" Max asked. Ronon rolled one shoulder in a shrug. She snorted.

John joined them. He had stayed on duty for the day to let Lorne and most of the rest of the command staff have the day off.

"Anything exciting?" Ronon asked around a mouthful as their commander sighed and took a seat. His tray was piled with what seemed like a random selection of foods.

"Nah, well, nothing interesting and exciting. Just…trade stuff mostly."

"Trade can be interesting." Teyla said. She was drinking water and watching the team. She had spent most of the day with her people. A delegation was visiting from the mainland area where most had chosen to settle. She seemed to be glowing with good cheer after catching up with so many loved ones and familiar faces.

"Sure, but usually eeeeh." John agreed then turned to Max "So, Furlings and Ancients?"

Max laughed and explained what had happened before dinner. John listened and frowned over the new information.

"Does that really change anything?" He asked.

"Doubtful. I mean, aside from being more proof that the Ancients were just as capable at atrocities as marvels." Max suggested.

"The ancestors were flawed, just as we are, it is good to remember." Teyla agreed.

"Anyone with that kind of power is going to lose touch with reality." Ronon pointed out. Lorne didn't make it to the chow hall before the group finished dining and retired for the evening. John's team had an early mission the next morning so most retired to rest.