A/N: This should have been posted this morning. Sorry it's late, lg.

~Sandy

Atlantis Awaits

Chapter 5

Dialogue

"She?" Jennifer exclaimed at the same time Radek said, "Alive?"

Looking from one to the other, Evan saw from their expressions that they thought he'd gone mad. "She's sentient." He relaxed and his companions did so as well. "Atlantis has all the information programed into her by the Ancients and we've only scratched the surface of it."

Radek nodded in agreement. "This is true."

Woolsey glanced first at the physicist then at Evan. "So Atlantis saw that we were headed for a planet that would very quickly become unsuitable for our purposes and used you to set course for a better one?"

"Uh, yeah. She seems to be able to make judgment calls in the same way that humans do. The thing is, sir, I've been in the chair before but this is the first time I've ever felt as if Atlantis was talking to me." He huffed in exasperation with himself waving a hand next to his ear. "It's like I'm hearing her, but I'm not."

Embarrassment crossed Radek's face as he cleared his throat. "I can explain, Major. It is a side effect of having three fully powered ZPMs. The 'hearing' of Atlantis, not the sentience. How that came about will require further investigation."

Evan glared at the scientist. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"It did not seem important once the safety protocols had been engaged. But of course we had no one to test our theory until now."

Woolsey sat heavily into his chair. "Perhaps there's something you can do to enhance the safety program, Doctor."

"Yeah. I'd like to not have another headache like that last one or end up in a coma." Evan pushed off the sofa, Jennifer standing as well. "Though I did get the idea that she wouldn't do it for no good reason. It was more like she was telling me what to do. I also get the feeling that she wouldn't be able to do some things on her own, that she needs a human in the driver's seat. Like for launching drones."

The expedition leader voiced the main cause for worry in the back of Evan's mind. "I'm concerned that Major Lorne, Major Teldy, Lieutenant Coughlin and Dr. Porter are the only gene carriers that are still capable of utilizing Ancient technology. If we run into trouble, our defensive capabilities are severely limited."

Brightening, Radek worked at his tablet for a moment then new information replaced that on the monitor. "As you can see, we have already created a new program. The original one restricted us from making changes, but we discovered that it is possible to take new coding and, in essence, imbed it into the current coding effectively 'muting' Atlantis so she does not 'speak' so loudly." As he talked the computer model on the screen shifted and changed. "She would also no longer be…alive."

"Then why didn't you do that before Teldy was injured?"

"Because it was not yet finished and we had no choice, if we were to survive the asteroid." The monitor went black as Radek remotely shut it down. "It is very complex work. Had Chuck and Rodney been available, the work would have gone much faster."

As if his words summoned it, Amanda's voice came over the PA. "Infirmary to Dr. Keller."

Jennifer tapped her headset as she went out the door. "This is Keller."

"The ATAs are regaining consciousness. Everyone but Dr. McKay and Colonel Sheppard."

"Looks like someone up there heard you, Radek."

She headed for the transporter, Radek and Evan behind her. Before she touched the screen, Evan gave her hand a squeeze. Her chin came up, confidence in every line, but he could see the truth in her eyes. She was as frightened of losing the man she loved as Amanda had been for him when this all started. "I'm sure he's gonna be fine, Jen."

~~O~~

The Infirmary was noisier than it had been for days with all of the ATAs except Rodney and John now awake. Jennifer rushed forward to confer with Amanda. To her surprise Carson, Alison, Joval, and Cedric were there as well, the men looking as if they'd just had a good night's sleep. The doctors had spent the days since the crisis began switching out shifts so no one was on duty for an extended period of time though it hadn't always worked out that way.

They quickly filled Jennifer in on the conditions of their patients. Unlike at the beginning with the weaker ATAs, now on full duty again, those that had been in comas seemed to be in perfect health. No lingering disorientation or dizziness. They would be staying another twenty-four hours just in case, but if their tests all came out good, they'd be able to let them go to their rooms and light duty.

Looking up from the workstation she, Alison and Amanda were huddled over Jennifer saw the three men talking in whispers, Cedric casting the occasional glance around to see if anyone seemed to be interested in what they were doing. She ordered meals for everyone including the staff then nudged her companions in that direction.

As the women neared them, the men pulled apart, giving Jennifer, Amanda and Alison smiles of supreme satisfaction.

"Okay, what's going on?" Arms crossed, Jennifer tapped her foot.

Carson stepped forward. "As th' spokesman for this wee band of brothers, we do hereby proclaim this Infirmary off limits to ya." Shocked, the women just stared. "Now go. Get a shower, a meal, a nap, whatever suits yer fancy. Yer not ta be within these walls for the next ten hours."

As one, the women exclaimed, "Ten hours?"

"That's great, Doc," Evan said from his place at Stackhouse's bedside. He took his leave of the young Marine and waited for Amanda to join him at the Infirmary exit after hugging Carson, Joval and Cedric.

"Jen, love. You've got ta take care o' yerself while Rodney's ill. No sense in both o' ya bein' under the weather."

She gave in gracefully. "Thanks, guys. I'll eat and shower then come back to sit with Rodney." A moment later she was gone.

When it came Alison's turn, she gave the men a grin. "I'm not going anywhere, Carson. Research is what I do and I've just come on duty after eight hours off."

"Aye, that's true. Why don't you and I get to it then while these two deal with our unruly patients?" He gave the petite brunette a fond smile that was echoed back to him as they went into the lab together.

Anne Teldy still lay on the cot in the corner. Carson gave her a quick check then released her. He and Alison peeked out the door as she stopped to talk to Joval. Anne drew the doctor over to an exam bed, pulling the curtains around them for privacy. The silhouettes of the two of them in a passionate embrace moved against the material of the curtains making Carson and Alison smile.

Anne exited the area with a grin and somehow not a hair out of place though Joval's blonde hair stuck up in several places and his fair skin bore the slight flush of embarrassment as he resumed work.

~~O~~

Greeting those that had awakened while she'd been away, Teyla returned to John's side. Again reaching for his hand, it surprised her when his fingers flexed against hers. Her free hand touched his face. "John? It's Teyla. Can you hear me?" Disappointment replaced the small amount of excitement she felt that he might be waking up when he made no response. "There is much that you and I will need to talk about when you awaken. The most important is that I love you and have for some time. It matters not if you feel the same, though I pray to the Ancestors that you do. You are very important to my son and I and will be far into the future. Tomorrow I will bring him for a visit."

She moved out of the way when the physical therapist arrived for his first session of the day. Today she watched as the man exercised John's limbs to prevent the muscles from atrophying in case the coma lasted longer than expected. The hope that he would soon be with them again still resided in her with the awakening of the others. Touching the therapist on the arm, she gave him a smile. "May I continue? Perhaps the touch of one who cares for him will help the healing process."

The man nodded and stepped back while Teyla continued with the exercises. He didn't speak except to give a word of advice or correction of her technique until the end of the session. "Would you like to take over his therapy, ma'am?"

"Yes. If you would show me how to notate his file, I will do that as well." He showed her how to use the bedside monitoring system, gave her a confident smile and left her to her vigil.

~~O~~

"Hey, what's shakin', Amel-" Chuck's voice cut off when his friend and co-worker Amelia Banks threw herself into his arms hugging him tight. He hugged her back until he felt her grip loosen. Kevin Chang, released back to full time work just the day before, came forward with the rest of the Ops staff to shake his hand, the women hugging him with a little less strength and duration than Amelia had but just as much feeling. Of all the expedition members, Chuck was the only one who was universally adored by everyone though there were a few who would deny it.

Amelia looked at him with suspicion. "Chu-uck, you didn't sneak out of the Infirmary, did you?"

"Of course not. Dr. Joval released me to light duty for now. No more than four hours a day." He rubbed his hands together. "So what needs to be done?"

"We're in hyperspace so the long-range sensors aren't functioning. Aside from making sure we stay on course for MR8-364, it's just busy work for the next ten hours."

"Cool." Chuck gave his chair a quick spin then sat down, booted up his workstation and began working. He'd only been at it for a short time when he found an anomaly in one of the communications frequencies they didn't normal monitor. It was very low and a configuration he'd never seen before. Tracking it back to its source proved quite simple. The signal originated in Atlantis' mainframe. Essentially, it came from her brain.

Before bringing the information to Radek, he went back over the logs for the last several days and made another discovery. It had begun within minutes of them starting the testing prior to the installation of the ZedPMs, increasing until the moment that all the ATAs collapsed at which time it very slowly decreased until it came to its current level.

He transferred the information he'd just gathered onto a tablet and scooped it off the console. "I have to see Dr. Zelenka."

"Chuck! Wait!" But he just kept on walking without responding. Amelia huffed in his general direction. "He's getting more like McKay all the time."

~~O~~

Radek took one look at the data Chuck had amassed and headed for Woolsey's office with the Gate Tech on his heels. On the way, he made two calls. Evan arrived wearing his pajamas, rubbing sleep from his eyes, his hair standing on end due to being roused from a sound sleep. Jennifer also arrived in her pajamas but with wet hair, having just gotten out of the shower.

Ignoring the complaints from both, Radek launched into the reason he'd called everyone together, sticking to the short version due to the time constraint. When he stopped, Jennifer, Evan and Woolsey shared a glance before Woolsey spoke.

"The city did this to the ATAs on purpose?"

"Yes. The problem is we do not know why, which is where Major Lorne comes in." Everyone faced Evan. "He must sit in the chair again. It is the single device in the city that has access to the greatest number of systems at one time. There he has the best chance of communicating with Atlantis."

Woolsey crossed his arms. "You want Major Lorne to talk to the city?"

"Exactly."

Turning to the Air Force officer, Jennifer touched him on the arm. "If you don't want to risk it, no one will think ill of you, Evan."

"It's okay, Jen. The expedition needs Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay. Their friends and families need them even more. And I want to do it." Evan stood at parade rest. "Please."

It didn't take long for Woolsey to make a decision. "Do it."

"I'll go along and monitor his vital signs and EEG just in case."

Radek stepped forward. "And I will monitor Atlantis. Between us, we should be able to make certain that Major Lorne is not injured as the others were." He followed Jennifer stopping on the far side of the bridge and turning. "This was your discovery, Chuck. You will come as well."

Chuck's face lit up as he rushed to catch up. "Thanks, Dr. Zelenka!"

~~O~~

Jennifer connected the medical monitors to his chest and temples as Evan again approached the chair with a small amount of disquiet. He volunteered for this op and would see it through to the end no matter what. But his greatest concern wasn't for himself this time. No, this time he worried about what would happen if his CO and Dr. McKay never awakened. It would fall to him to bring the news to their families, to tell them that their loved ones would live just as they were for the rest of their lives. Not that he hadn't had to give bad news to a soldier's family before. But this would be worse than those other times because he wouldn't be able to give them the full story.

"Whenever you're ready, Major." Radek and Chuck gave him reassuring smiles, the Gate Tech adding a thumbs up.

Evan nodded confidently as he sat down, the chair reclining as the equipment around him became active. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his mind searching for that part of the city that would understand what he had to say.

*Are you there?* He waited for a response but none came. *It is imperative that we speak.*

**I am here, Evan Lorne.**

*Who are you?* Humor washed over him.

**Who else could I be?**

Evan chuckled. *You sound like McKay.*

**I have spent much time in these years teaching him about those that came before you.**

*We call them the Ancients.*

**It is unfortunate that there are none left alive, but without full power, I was unable to save them from the Asurans.**

Feeling her regret, Evan rushed to reassure her. *It wasn't your fault. And someone still would have needed to be in the chair to launch the defensive weapons.*

**Though I regret their passing, it greatly pleases me to have those from Earth in residence again.**

*We're glad to be here.* Evan would have said more but Atlantis interrupted him. *Question: Why me?*

**Why am I speaking to you and not to Sheppard or McKay?**

*Yeah.*

**I have tried speaking to them. That is another reason they are unable to respond at this time. As the one called Radek Zelenka told you, when first I became fully powered I spoke too loudly for their human minds to comprehend. Turning them and the others off was the only way to save them.**

*Then I'm honored to be the one.*

**Thank you. For what reason are you communicating with me now?**

*Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay are still in a coma. Um, that's a medical condition…*

Sadness and regret swirled around inside Evan's head. **Their condition was caused by me though it was done to save them. When I achieved full power for the first time in so many millennia, it was as if a human had suddenly been injected with a massive dose of adrenaline. I mitigated the effects as best I could by using the low frequency wave that is still active or they would have perished within seconds.**

*We need you to turn it off so Sheppard and McKay can wake up.* Atlantis didn't respond though he had the feeling that she was thinking it over.

**If they were to regain consciousness, they would experience the pain once more so they must remain as they are.**

TBC