Brief reference to 'Emmagan Lineage'.

Athosian Legend

Teyla closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The sunlight kissed her skin and the sweet smell of Quaylin blooms filled her senses. Her heart swelled as memories flooded her mind: her mother singing a childhood lullaby, her father's laughter, and her first kiss under the Lupor tree. She smiled. Home. And yet, not home. Teyla glanced around at the remains of the Athosian camp. Echoes of death and devastation intertwined with remnants of life that once was. So much had changed, herself included. She still grieved for the loss of Athos. It was where she was born, where she grew up and it would always have a place in her heart, but her life, her home, was now in Atlantis.

The sound of scattering pebbles made her aware of John and Ronon's approach.

John spoke softly.

"You okay?"

Teyla glanced over her shoulder.

"I am well."

Ronon eyed Teyla's profile. He remembered the pain of seeing his home after it had been reduced to nothing but rubble and knew it had to be hard for her as well. He turned to John and jerked his head towards the lake, deciding to give them a few moments alone.

"Teyla, I'm sorry, but you know that we don't have much time. The Wraith could arrive at any minute."

She nodded.

"Do you have any idea of why Jay and Jared would tell us to come to Athos? Is there anything in the camp that could be of Ancient technology?"

She faced him.

"No. There is only the camp and the caves."

John sighed.

Teyla placed her hand on his chest and smiled sadly.

"And the old city."

He covered her hand with one of his own and returned her smile. Together they headed towards the lakeside.

Aiden and Carson laughed as Rondey jumped up and down like a drunken rabbit. He was trying to snatch the pair of miniature binoculars from Ronon's hand, which were a good two and a half to three feet above his head.

"Ask nicely and I'll give them to you."

Rodney glared and huffed for breath.

"I did ask!"

Ronon smirked.

"No you didn't. You snapped your fingers and said, 'gimme those'. That's not asking."

Rodney rolled his eyes.

"When did you become Mr. Manners, Grunt and Scratch? And besides gimme isn't even a word. I would never say anything like that. Now, may I have those?"

Ronon arched a brow.

Rodney let out a long sigh.

"Please."

He grunted as the binoculars were slammed into his palm.

"Oww!"

John and Teyla arrived as Rodney turned to get a look at the city.

"Come on let's go."

Everyone, but Rodney headed for the Jumper.

"Wha-?"

John paused.

"Come on, Rodney."

Rodney's face fell.

"I just wanted a look at the city."

"You can look at it when we get there. Right now I need you to figure out the location of the control room or a power source for the city. Now come on."

Rodney headed for the Jumper, mumbling under his breath along the way and John followed closely behind.

The air was heavy. Dust mixed with the scent of must and peppered here and there with the strong odor of decay, followed the team as they made their way quickly through the halls of the old city. John breathed deeply as he passed a large whole in the wall that allowed some fresh air to circulate. He shined his light on the high, wide columns that decorated the large hall through which they traveled. He would have sworn they were walking through an old Egyptian palace were it not for the obvious signs of Ancient influence on design and technology. The hall curved following one of the outer walls of the city, hopefully leading to a transporter that Rodney said would take them to a control room situated in one of the towers of the city. John was both intrigued and concerned at the same time. He'd always wondered what Col. Sumner had seen inside of the city, but also worried how long their presence would go undetected by the Wraith.

Teyla remembered this hall. It was one of the last memories that she had of her father. Early one day, before the rays of the morning sun touched the sky, he'd awoken her and together they'd snuck away from the village and into the old city. He'd told her many amazing stories of things that had happened thousands of years ago. Stories of how the Emmagan line came to be part of the Athosian people, of a once great alliance between planets initiated by the Ancients, and of the arrival of the enemy that became known to them as the Wraith. Her father had shown Teyla the room where he'd learned this information and explained how every few years he snuck into the city to learn more about the history of their people, but by accident had learned something far more important, that the Wraith could be destroyed. There hadn't been much time. After showing Teyla the location of the room they'd hurried back to the village in time for Tagan to leave for an off world mission. While Halling, Uldar, and Sethran waited at the gate, Tagan had spoken briefly with Teyla.

"I pass this knowledge on to you for your consideration. Do with it what you will daughter, but be careful. There are many here who fear the old city and fear and ignorance can be a very powerful thing. I have always believed that the old city holds the key to our salvation, but than I am only one man."

Tagan grasped Teyla's shoulders and bowed his head. He smiled as her head touched his own.

"Be well, daughter of my heart."

"Safe journey, father."

What Teyla saw and heard that day in the old city had changed her life forever, but none more so than the news of her father's death. Many years passed before Teyla ventured into the old city again. Camp movements, poor crop seasons, an increase in off world trade, as well as other duties as the leader of her people had made if difficult for her to get away. She hadn't had much time and in her rush incorrectly dialed the activation sequence that her father had shown her. Instead she'd found something else.

Teyla's steps slowed. She looked at the doorway to her left. That corridor led to the room.

"John."

Hearing Teyla's voice, Ronon glanced back in time to see her disappear through a doorway some eighty feet back down the hall.

"Sheppard!"

Ronon chased after her, John, Aiden, Carson and Rodney in hot pursuit. They ran down a series of corridors before finally catching up with her. She stood behind a large console pressing buttons. The room was small, square, and nearly empty. John and Rodney hurried to the dais.

"What are you doing?! Don't touch that! What, are you trying to kill us?!"

John glared at Rodney, warning him to shut up. He paused by her side and gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Teyla, what are you doing?"

She looked at him.

"I wanted to show you something. My father brought me here before he died. It is a library of sorts. On my last visit, I found a hologram similar to the one you saw on Atlantis. I am trying to see if I can find her again."

"Would you like for me to try?"

Teyla nodded.

Rodney frowned.

"We don't have time for this! We need to get to the control room and-."

"And what Rodney? We don't even know why we're here. Jay and Jared said it was important that I take Teyla home. Maybe this is it? Maybe this is what she's supposed to show us."

"And what if it's not something she shows us, but rather something we were supposed to find?"

"Then if we don't find what we're looking for here, we'll go to the control room."

John sighed. He knew he was taking a big risk, but his gut was telling him that this was important. He moved to the center of the console. It was similar to the ones on Atlantis and yet different. The system allowed use of his Ancient gene to navigate the controls, but it was not a requirement. Any one could use it as long as they understood the Ancient dialect written in the database, which he did. John scrolled through the database.

"This is a control room, but someone was using it as a research lab."

He tapped a few buttons and nine rectangular panels slid out of each side of the far walls. Aiden, Ronon, Carson, and Rodney spread out to get a closer look at the specimens.

"It looks as if they were working in secret with a Lantean scientist to perfect the use of the nanites created to destroy the Wraith, but something went wrong."

Rodney returned to the dais.

"What happened?"

John shook his head.

"I don't know. Give me a minute."

Teyla frowned.

"Why would someone store historical data here in a research lab?"

He looked at her.

"This is one of five main control centers in this city. You have full access to city's controls and database from here. You can access anything you want."

Rodney straightened.

"Did you say anything?"

John smirked at him.

"As a matter of fact, I did."

He turned back to Teyla.

"Someone was using the database to hide their work."

He hit a few more buttons.

"It looks as if the hologram that you saw was an entry into the research log. There are hundreds here, but they are all backlogged. Someone was transmitting messages and immediately deleting them from the main frame, but not the secondary systems. There's only one sitting in a queue for immediate retrieval. I'll play that one."

A circular light appeared in the middle of the floor and the hologram of a tall woman with short curly black hair and big green eyes materialized.

"Janus, your theories appear to be correct. The nanites which you have modified are responding positively to the new tests. Regeneration rates have slowed and when the specimens are placed within contact of Wraith DNA degeneration does occur. Unfortunately, the rate of degeneration is not acceptable. Do not worry beloved. I work non-stop in hopes of finding a way to help free the Lantean people from this siege. As for the nanties from the Helix, though the cause of the laboratory explosion is still unknown, I was able to salvage a few specimens. They are active, but I fear they have been severely damaged. The nanites show no signs of regeneration and are rejecting assimilation with the other specimens, but show a significant increase in Wraith DNA degeneration. They also emit an energy pulse which I have not been able to identify. As you suggested I downloaded a data burst from the repository into a cube and used a Helix nanite to create the shielding. The device has been hidden on the planet Clanthor. They are allies of Athos and can be trusted. I agree with you that if we do not survive some record of what has happened here needs to be preserved; even if the Lantean Council does not."

The hologram fluctuated and a low rumble could be heard in the back ground. The woman glanced over her shoulder in surprise and fear.

"Something is happening. I must go."

An explosion shook the hologram causing the fluctuations to increase.

"Computer, send transmission."

The hologram ended.

The room was silent. Two clicks from his radio snapped John from his daze. He clicked twice and waited for a reply. He didn't have to wait long.

"Colonel, a Wraith Cruiser and three Darts just dropped out of space! I suggest you high tail it out of there!"

John swore.

"We're on our way!"

He ran across the room to one of the panels.

"Rodney, see if you can snatch the hard drive out of that console. I'd like to take it with us."

McKay dropped down under the console and removed the cover.

"I can, but it won't be pretty."

John quickly scanned the panels until he found the one he was looking for and pulled it from the wall. He handed it to Carson.

"Keep an eye on that for me."

Carson looked puzzled.

"What is it?"

John grinned.

"The last of the nanites from the Helix explosion."

He headed for the door, the others following closely behind.

"Rodney, come on!"

McKay rose from behind the console, holding the hard drive like a prized trophy.

"Got it! Coming!"

They quickly made their way back to the great hall and followed it back to their point of entry. John crouched near the crumbling wall. The high whine of Darts could be heard overhead as he surveyed the clearing surrounding a large tree under which he'd parked the Jumper. Ronon knelt beside him.

"Sheppard?"

John glanced at his friend.

"I don't see anything, but-."

"You don't like it." John sighed.

"I don't like it. But we don't have time to sit around."

He looked back at the team.

"I'll take point, Aiden, you're with Carson, Teyla, you're with Rodney, Ronon, bring up the rear. Let's move out."

The team was halfway to the Jumper when the Wraith opened fire. Major Lorne and his team provided some cover fire from Jumper two, but soon found themselves in a game of cat and mouse with three Darts. It was bad, really bad. Aiden tossed two grenades taking out half of the warriors, but they were still out numbered and out gunned. Ronon shot down three Wraith warriors, while John worked on his second and Teyla emptied a clip on hers. Even Rodney took one down one before taking a stunner blast in the leg. Carson half supported half dragged him towards the Jumper while the others continued to provide what cover fire they could. It took a full clip to kill one Wraith and John only had one left. Soon the steady fire of their P-90s was replaced by shots from Berettas. John heard Teyla's groan as a stunner blast struck her from behind. Aiden caught her before she hit the ground and lifted her into his arms.

They were nearly there. John could see Carson, Rodney, and Aiden with Teyla a few yards from the Jumper out of the corner of his eye. He half carried half dragged Ronon using his blast gun to keep the Wraith at bay. At Dart flew by depositing more Wraith warriors on the ground. He turned to fire as a Wraith lunged at him and took a stunner blast fully in the chest. Both he and Ronon went down like bricks. John lay on the ground straining for his muscles to do as he commanded, but to no avail. He remembered all to well the pain of having his life drained from his body and didn't look forward to experiencing that agony again. They'd been so close. He though of Teyla and his children as the Wraith warrior knelt beside him and leered.

"You are weak."

John would have made a smart comment if he could, but even that one last act of rebellion was denied him. He simply watched, frozen and helpless as the Wraith slammed his hand onto his chest.

Something was wrong. John could feel the pressure building in his chest, but there was no pain. It soon became unbearable until suddenly, there was release.

Aiden laid Teyla on a bench inside the Jumper and reached for a machine gun. He exited the rear to see a Wraith kneeling over John with its hand plastered to his chest. Aiden aimed, but never fired. A sudden blinding burst of white light rippled throughout the clearing, across the river and continued on as far as the eye could see.

Teyla closed her eyes against the bright light and smothered a sigh. Others in the conference room were less inclined to hide their discomfort and groaned loudly. Rodney attempted to glare at Zelenka through squinted eyes, but only managed to look like he'd eaten a really sour lemon. Radek, who'd turned on the overhead light, shrugged and continued to follow the briefing on his digital tablet. Rodney turned back to the table's occupants to finish his comment.

"As I was saying, Selina's logs confirm that the Clanthos device is that object that she mentions in her last transmission. The unique shielding on the device was a result of experimentation with a modified nanite and the subsequent explosion on the Helix."

Elziabeth's brow knotted.

"Do we have any idea what caused the explosion?"

Rodney scrolled through his notes.

"Records indicate that the Ancient warship Helix departed from Atlantis on-."

Radek cut him off.

"No."

Elizabeth looked from Rodney to Radek.

"No?"

Rodney sighed.

"No, which I was about to explain to you before I was so rudely interrupted. Thank you very much."

Radek grinned.

"You were taking too long."

"Taking too long? I hadn't even said five word-."

"Gentlemen!"

Both scientists turned to Elizabeth.

"Have we learned anything new from the samples you brought back?"

Rodney shook his head.

"Other than confirming what's in Selina's notes, no. I am working on a few theories, but I don't have definite answers right now."

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair.

"I don't have to tell you how important this is. The fact that you're all here is living proof of the Helix nanite's power."

She shook her head in wonder.

"This is our miracle. We need to learn how to use it. We'll end the debrief here, but I'd like another report in two days. You're all free to go."

Carson had seen his fair share of extraordinary things during his stay in the Pegasus galaxy, but the Helix nanite definitely made the top of his list. He was familiar with the microscopic devices called nanites. He'd read Dr. Fraiser's medical reports from the SGC and completed field research on a few samples, but the Helix was different. He magnified the picture of John's brain scan on his electronic notepad.

"The white spider-like lines are the nanite. It has spread throughout your brain like a web, infiltrating your tissue. It is now a part of your cellular structure and even now is altering your DNA."

John's brow knotted in confusion.

"So you're telling me I'll be like this for the rest of my life?"

Carson smiled.

"Yes, anytime a Wraith makes physical contact with you it will die along with any other Wraith in the general area."

"But the data from the Jumper showed that the energy pulse covered the whole surface of the planet!?!"

Carson's smile grew. Poor Rodney, he'd hoped that the Clanthos decive would have some effect on him too, but it hadn't. He wasn't taking John's new abilities very well. "Yes they did, Rodney."

Rodney stared at Carson in disbelief.

"Are you telling me he can take out a whole planet of Wraith with one touch?"

Carson nodded. Rodney shoulders drooped as he slumped into a chair.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

The others shared knowing looks over his head. Ronon rolled his eyes before turning back to Carson.

"If the Clanthos device nearly killed Teyla, why isn't she dead now? John touches her and the children everyday, but they are fine."

Carson nodded.

"I wondered about that myself and came to the conclusion that John has some control over his abilities. I believe that who and what he perceives as a threat are factored into the nanite's output. Why or how, I don't know, but it does."

John glanced at Elizabeth.

"We'll need to do a test run before making any major plans of operation and we need to do it fast. Major Lorne downed two Wraith Darts, but the third got away. The cloak on his Jumper was damaged. We should expect company soon."

Elizabeth let out a long sigh. She leaned forward against the infirmary bed and glanced down at the scan on Carson's notepad. If this worked, they'd just won the war with the Wraith. She nodded at John.

"Do it."

John slowly awoke. He could hear soft sobs coming from the other side of the bed. Reaching out, he pulled Teyla into his arms and rested his chin on her head. He let out a long sigh. He could sense the joy, relief, fear and pain that jumbled her emotions. John let her cry it out and simply held her close. After a while, she dried her tears and lifted her eyes to his. He dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"You okay?"

She opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came. Suddenly, Teyla burst out laughing. "You must think I'm crazy."

He smiled at her.

"I think you're beautiful and you're handling this whole situation a lot better than I would if I were in your shoes."

She caressed his cheek.

"How can you say that?"

"You've been living in fear of the Wraith your whole life and now suddenly there's a change, a real change to eradicate them from existence. What if something goes wrong and you have to go back to the beginning again? What if nothing goes wrong? Can you put the Wraith behind you and move on? And what about all of the lives that have been lost? Was there anything that we could have done to prevent it? If I hadn't gone to the cave with you that day and into the old city with Sumner, would he be here? Would we know the power of the Clanthos device? If you'd gone back to the city after your father died, would you have found it? Would you be alive? Or would it have killed you and the other Athosians destroy it in their ignorance?"

He sighed again.

"Don't beat yourself up second guessing every act you've made in the past. Everything happened the way they did for a reason. We all played our part. That's all we can ever do and just hold on to the hope that soon the Wraith will be gone."

Teyla smiled.

"Maybe you do understand."

She stroked the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see that Wraith with his hand around your throat and then the flash of light……I saw the power of the Helix and finally there is a chance, but I still fear for your safety."

John rested his forehead on hers.

"Just as I fear for yours every time you step through that gate. For now nothing's changed, but there is a serious hope for the future."

Teyla smiled.

"Yes, there is."

She gazed into his eyes.

"I love you."

John smiled.

"I love you too."

He captured her lips in a gentle kiss and spent the remainder of the night making Teyla forget about everything except for the pleasure he could give her.