"So, you think the Ancients created the wraith?" Carter asked.

"I…well, maybe yes –"

"Why not the Furlings?" Max asked.

"Well, it could be them too;"

"It's possible they were created, so much time has passed that genetic drift and natural mutations may mask over signs of engineering." Carson said thoughtfully.

"Okay but couldn't it just be coincidence that wraith and their technology react so violently to Quickenings?" Max suggested.

"That's what I am trying to say, it can't be." Rodney said exasperated. All eyes around the conference table snapped to him. He swallowed and straightened.

"Look, yes, theoretically it could be dumb luck, but, we're talking astronomically lucky."

"Beyond belief lucky." Carter sighed.

"Exactly. It makes way more sense if this energy signature was engineered. I don't think it was the Ancients, they never would have lost a war against them if they had this information. Which makes it far more likely that another species was responsible. If they didn't engineer the wraith then they engineered the immortals or whatever they're really called."

"Guardians." Max said wryly.

"Well, yeah sure that. The point is this could be the wraith Achilles heel." Rodney said.

"We've heard that before. What guarantee do we have the wraith can't engineer a response? Neutralize it?" Lorne asked.

"Well, none, but given what we learned from Michael about hive hierarchy and the stagnation of their technology there's a damn good chance that at least they will not be able to respond quickly." Rodney countered.

"What about the wraith tech on the puddle jumpers?" Max asked.

"We're still investigating." Lorne said looking toward Carter. "Current theory is they were installed during off world trading missions by collaborators, they may not even have known they were helping the wraith."

"It would be unusual for a wraith to engage humans for such a task." Teyla said thoughtfully.

"Is it possible there's another rogue hive or operative like Michael? Using catspaws to collect intelligence?" Max asked.

"We're still looking into it. In the meantime your pal has helped us check all other egress and ingress points for devices." Lorne said.

Max nodded; it made sense. Methos was still uninterested in leaving the city but more than happy to assist in any way while remaining put. He had seen the briefing videos and other mandatory material on the wraith including the data and recordings of Max's exposure. She didn't blame him for not wanting his own up close and personal experience. She suspected that his sense of self and combat capabilities were still unsteady to say the least. He was more than proficient with Bantos thanks to Teyla and the other Athosian and Atlantis trainers but any time she volunteered to spar with blades he declined.

"So our working theory is that, for some reason, the Furlings or another advanced species created or discovered Wraith then engineered the immortals to, what, keep them in check?" Carter asked.

"Do we know if the Furlings were like a race of psychopaths?" Max heard herself asking and blinked. All eyes ticked to her. "Uh, well, I mean, think about it? Let's assume for arguments sake they didn't create the wraith, why would they make a sentient species of guardians? Why not create weaponry or something instead? Hell, shield technology that could repel or kill Wraith on contact? Why create an entire people to do it?"

"That's…huh." Rodney said thoughtfully.

"The truth is we really don't know anything about the Furlings, not even as much as we know about the Nox let alone the Asgard or Ancients." Carter admitted.

"Maybe we should find out more before we decide my people need to be weaponized." Max said and was surprised at how cold her voice sounded. To their credits the other members of the impromptu conference looked chagrinned or embarrassed for the most part. Carter looked thoughtful and troubled.

"Well, sounds like I missed a fun meeting." John sighed. Max smirked. She was still getting to know John as an individual. He was an excellent combat leader, and she absolutely trusted him but she found the more they worked together the more she genuinely liked his wry humor and determination.

"I've had less fun ones." She admitted. "When are they going to let you out?"

"Couple days. Carson wants to make sure I'm more mobile. That weird bullet still has him spooked."

"To be fair the Genii sound like a pack of sneaky ruthless assholes so."

"That they are, unfortunately." John agreed. "Hey, how's your guy doing?"

"Methos? He seems to be settling in well."

John squinted, "You're worried about something."

She crooked a smile at him that was impressed and quizzical, "You're surprisingly perceptive sir."

"S'what they pay me for." He said preening slightly. "Spill."

She smirked and nodded, shifting her weight in the infirmary visitor's chair she glanced around the corner to see who may be in earshot then leaned forward. "He's… I think he's a little bit lost? He's exceling in rehab; they're going to cut him loose soon. Teyla says he's made remarkable progress with her training. But…he won't spar with me. I'm not sure he's even picked up a sword since he got here. And sometimes, well, he doesn't respond to his name."

John chewed his lower lip for a moment and frowned slightly. "Think a counselor could help?"

"Honestly? I have no idea; I doubt it could hurt."

John nodded. "Right, I'll talk to Carson, maybe feel things out with the mental health team see if they have any suggestions. Not gonna lie, there are some team leaders eager to have an immortal on their line up."

She shook her head and pursed her lips, staring at the floor in thought for a moment then looked up, "I don't think that's where we want him. He's already contributing with security improvements and linguistics. You've read his file you know there's…stuff about him that could be a problem."

"Hey, I have one immortal under my command and she's doing pretty well." He said wryly.

She shivered and managed a small smile, "If he brings it up it's worth exploring but I wouldn't set any …expectations, at least not beyond defending the city."

"Understood, I'll talk to Carson. In the meantime, let me know if you think of anything we can do to help him out. He's a member of this city now that matters."