Chapter Three: The Initiation Ceremony
-The Gates of the Citadel-The gates of the Citadel swung closed with an ominous clang. "All Citizens will return to their homes," came a voice from the speakers. "A curfew is now in effect. All citizens return to your homes. Rejoice and obey."
"Right," McKay muttered. "Rejoice! Who does he think he's kidding?" But the people all around were in motion, moving with a deliberate unhurried urgency. Happily obeying.
"From the look of things," Ford said. "pretty much everyone." In front of the Gates a wall of soldiers had formed, guns at the ready. High in the sky the hover drones were circling the perimeter of the city.
"Teyla," Sheppard whispered. "What does this look like to you?"
"It looks like they are trying to keep someone in."
"Yeah. That's what I thought." Sheppard sighed in frustration. "It's never easy is it? Once just once, I'd like the mission to go smoothly. Meet some nice friendly natives, who take us to their nice friendly leader…"
Someone was tugging on Ford's robes. He glanced down at the boy. "Hello," he smiled.
"You're Spirituals," the boy said confidently.
Ford knelt down so that they were at eyelevel. "That's right."
"I thought so. A pair from the Prydonian Order visited my class once. It was a great honor."
"I'm sure it was. How old are you?"
The boy smiled broadly. "I'm eight. Tomorrow I'll be initiated into the Academy."
Ford glance at Sheppard uncertainly. "Uh congratulations…" he tilted his head inquiringly.
"Dalbane," the boy said. "They say our Lord & Master himself will attend." Dalbane bounced excitedly. "Do you think it's true?"
"I'm sure it is," Ford said.
"Dalbane," a woman called running over. "Stop bothering the Spirituals," she said taking the boys hand.
"Don't worry," Ford said rising. "He wasn't a bother." She bowed her head slightly in thanks. Dalbane tugged on his mother's sleeve. He mumbled softly to her. She smiled apologetically at the others.
"He wants to know if you would attend the Initiation tomorrow." She ruffled his hair fondly. "He doesn't understand. I apologize. We don't want to put you to any trouble."
"Actually," Sheppard said. "it's no trouble at all." He smiled his most charming smile.
-Fleet Command Center: Five Miles below the Panopticon-
Thalia couldn't concentrate with the Master practically breathing down her neck. She could feel his presence behind her, pacing back and forth. She could feel her palms sweat. Everyone knew the price of failure. Back and forth and back again went the Master. He was in one of his moods, restless energy bottled up inside waiting for release, and the Master didn't like waiting.
She scrolled through the hover drone reports as quickly as she could. Someone had to have noticed them. She didn't want to review the scans personally, that would take even more time. The Master began to tap out a rhythm on his leg. Thalia shivered. Instinctively she knew she didn't have much time left. Back and forth he went. Tappity tap. She sighed in relief.
"Four monks matching Coordinator Graven's description entered the Citadel through the Northern Gate at about 7:30 this evening…"
"Where are they now," the Master demanded. His eyes drilled into hers, burning angrily.
"I'm not sure," she answered. Inside she prayed to the Ancient Gods, softly though. In case he could hear her thoughts.
He pulled her to her feet roughly. "Then I suggest you find out, or head will roll," his thumb caressed her neck gently. "Starting with yours."
"Sir," his attaché coughed politely. He turned his gaze on the young man who visibly shrunk back. "The initiation speech," the assistant whispered. Thalia could feel the Master's body tense. For a moment she thought he would attack his own assistant. Then suddenly he released her. She fell back into her chair with a thud.
"You're right of course," the Master beamed. "Places to go, people to see. No rest for the wicked." He walked slowly over to his attaché, who some how managed to stand his ground. "Tell me son," the Master put a companionable had on the other man's shoulder. "what's your name again?"
"Ezra Crane, sir."
"That's right…Ezra. You worked very hard on that speech didn't you."
"Yes sir."
The Master slowly led them to the doorway. "And your proud of it, aren't you Ezra."
"Uh…yes sir." He swallowed nervously.
"Good. A man should be proud of his works." The pressure on Ezra's shoulder increased suddenly. Whit hot pain shot through him. His eyes teared up slightly. His legs gave way and he fell his knees with a clang. The Master glanced down at him, as though he were a mildly interesting specimen. "Don't think I haven't noticed you trying to herd me."
"I-I would never…"
"Shhh," the Master said. "It's okay. I'm just glad we cured you of your little delusions early. Who am I, Mr. Crane?"
"You are my Master," Ezra managed to say through the pain. "and I obey you."
"And never forget that." The Master glanced up at the technicians hunched over their controls, studiously not looking at him, trying desperately to look busy. "No one told you to stop working," he snapped. Then his face broke out into a huge friendly grin, but no one was fooled.
-The Academy: The Initiation Ceremony-In the audience someone coughed loudly. The conductor cleared his throat and the orchestra began to play. Then came the voices of the Academy Chorus. On the stage they stood, in three rows. Children ages 10 to 18 raised their voices to the air. "We sing in praise of total war. Against the Wraith we abhor," they sang.
Teyla glanced at Sheppard uncertainly. He met her gaze with an unreadable expression. The long hall was filled to capacity. Proud parents, excited children, the staff all nodding along enjoying the music. The Master had arrived with his entourage accompanied by the sound of drums. Everyone had stood and bowed. He had smiled bashfully and waved. Sheppard glared at the back of his head. He was really starting to hate that guy. The Atlantis Team was seated in the far back, as close to the exit as possible. The music stopped. The chorus bowed and filed silently and efficiently off the stage.
"And now it gives me great pleasure to welcome our Savior, ruler of Tannis and all its dominions, Our Lord and Master!" The audience broken into spontaneous applause and enthusiastic cheers. More disturbing to Sheppard was that, as far as he could tell, the cheers were genuine.
The Master climbed up onto the stage and twirled around basking in the adoration. "Thanks you," he said. The ovation continued unabated. "Thank you. Please sit," he walked over to the podium and placed his notes down. Slowly the crowd quieted. The Master smiled. "I am truly humbled," he said. "But we are not here today for me. No today is a day that belongs to the future, to our children. They enter the Academy on the eve of our glorious liberation. Our great work is still before us, and by our blood and strife, by our sacrifice will we purchase their inheritance." He gestured at the sea of eight year olds. "They will inherit a galaxy free from fear, free from outsiders," the Master met Sheppard's eyes across the long chamber.
"Oh shit." Sheppard said and that's when all hell broke loose.