Of Allies or Enemies

by stephaflea

After years of planning, many disappointments and many failures … At last he has finally succeeded. Acastus Kolya is now the leader of the Genii people and is in full control. What does this mean for Atlantis and how does John take the news?

5. Chapter 5 Preparation

Title: Of Allies or Enemies
Author: Flea
Date :18th January 2007
Part: 5/?
Rating: M (just to be on the safe side)
Pairing: J/T
Characters: John, Teyla, Kolya, Elizabeth (and little bits from the others)
Genre: Romance / Suspense /Angst /Action its got some of everything
Word Count: 2299
Archiving: only here and on fanfiction net
Warnings- angst, swearing
Spoilers: slight once through out all the season, many from the episode which Kolya appears in.

Disclaimers: No copyright infringement is intended. All characters belong to MGM I'm only borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment.

Summary: After years of planning, many disappointments and many failures … At last he has finally succeeded. Acastus Kolya is now the leader of the Genii people and is in full control. What does this mean for Atlantis and how does John take the news?

Chapter 5 – Preparation

"Dr Weir how lovely it is to hear your voice again."

"I wish I could say the same!" Elizabeth spoke coldly as the man before her on the screen bowled his head in a soft laugh.

"I take it you received my message."

"We got it" Elizabeth answered the hatred clearly showing in her voice. Kolya did nothing but laugh.

"Did I not warn Sheppard and his team that soon we would become allies" Elizabeth looked around at the people who surrounded her, when had this happen? Nobody had mentioned anything like this before, surely she would have remembered.

"It does not matter, I'm sure your people just forgot!"

"It's pretty hard to remember everything you said! You were threatening to kill us at the time! Rodney replied loudly his voice full of sarcasm.

"Ah Dr McKay it is good to hear your voice also."

"The pleasure's all yours Kolya"

"Doctor McKay you may change your attitude towards me when you see what I have to offer you and your people."

"I seriously doubt that." Rodney spat out

"We shall see."

"What have you done with Ladon?" Teyla asked watching as the smug smile on Kolya's face grew

"Ladon is not your concern!"

"What do you want Kolya?"

"Straight to the point Doctor, it's nice to know some thing's never change." All of sudden his face seem to straighten becoming serious as he looked into the camera.

"Is Colonel Sheppard with you?"

Elizabeth turned to face John; he face was a picture of anger as he watched the screen. Gently he shook his head telling her not to inform Kolya of his presence.

"No …" She paused "His not." She lied

"Pity" Kolya grinned "but it does not matter. I would like to offer up a truce. Now I have resumed my rightful leadership of the Genii I wish to continue the alliance between out two peoples. The Alliance that you Doctor Weir agreed to and signed" He really was full of himself Elizabeth thought. "I believe we can be great allies."

"And why should we believe you?" Rodney shouted out. Elizabeth held out her hand quietly hushing him.

"I know we have had our problems in the past, but I believe what I have to offer you will make up for all of that."

"And what might that be" Elizabeth turned round shocked that John had spoken out. The look on his face only increased her uneasiness of this whole situation. But if she thought it couldn't get any worst she was wrong.

"Glad you could join us Colonel, it has been too long"

"Not long enough." John clenched his hands tightly trying desperately to remain in control and not let the anger he was feeling take over. "I wish to arrange a meeting, to discuss many, many things."

"And why the hell should we let you into Atlantis, or even consider what you might be offering."

"Because Colonel what I'm offering is something you can't refuse …" Kolya moved back from the camera to a locked box which sat on a table just behind. Slowly turning the key and lifting the clasp he revealed its contents.

John stood fixed to the screen as he heard many of those around gasp at what they saw.

"That's not possible" Rodney stammered.

"Believe me Doctor McKay it is! " Slowly Kolya lifted the ZPM out of the box for all of them to see. "A fully charge ZPM … I believe that is what you call them." Kolya turned it around in his hands "Undamaged … it could do a lot for your great city, could it not?"

All the members of Atlantis remained silent none of them knowing what to say in this sudden change of circumstances.

"I take it from you silence that we can come to some kind of understand, one that will suit us both." Kolya paused "I shall leave the arrangements up to you, you shall contact us once they are finalised..." the picture cut out and Kolya was gone.

"It's got to be a trick?" Ronan exclaimed. They were once again back in the briefing room discussing the same subject as before. Only this time things had got a whole lot more complicated.

"I agree with Ronan" John added. "A fully charge ZPM; what are the chances Kolya actually managed to get his hands on one."

"Slim but it is possible!" John turned to look a Zelenka; the only new addition since their earlier meeting.

"Come on! We're been searching months for one and now Kolya turns up with exactly what we need … it don't think so.

"I have to agree with you John …but" Elizabeth paused "If it is real that could …"

"Yeah yeah I know …" John interrupted "A million possibilities, protecting ourselves from the wraith I know. But please … it's not real." He paused for a moment as if second guessing his decision. "It can't be real!"

"It looked very real to me!" Teyla spoke up from his side. John twisted in his seat fixing her with a glare. John still wasn't completely sure how to handle Teyla since their argument not to long ago.

"I agree!" Elizabeth stated. She noticed the looked which passed between the pair thinking it best not to say anything, so she continued. "Rodney, Radek what can you tell me."

"What do you expect?" Rodney asked he seemed a little more jittery they usual. "Yes it's a ZPM, or it at least looks like one. But is it real, is it fully charged, undamaged …"

"There is not much we can tell without actually …"

"Yes yes Radek" Rodney interrupted "I was getting there!" he huffed in frustration. "Elizabeth I can't tell by looking at it over a video. I'll need to test the power readings; run a full diagnostic I can only do that when I have the actual ZPM."

"So you don't know if it's real" Carson ask

"Didn't I just say that? … I believe I did!"

"Ok people …" Elizabeth began not completely sure where to go next. "So we can't tell if it's genuine or not"

"I'm going for not!"

"John please!" Elizabeth asked slightly agitated. "As far as I can see we don't have much of a choice." Every body watched her closely. "We invite Kolya here and …"

"Oh please!" John growled getting to his feet and heading for the door.

"John just hear me out!" Elizabeth called after him. "Kolya comes here, we check the ZPM if it's a fake we send him straight back through the gate!"

"And if its not" He asked turning around the face her.

"The possibilities of what we could do with a fully charge ZPM are unimaginable Colonel." Zelenka told him

"We'd have power to run hundred of systems which we've not even had the chance to look at!" Rodney added a little bit too excited "not the mention we'll have full use of the chair and the shield."

"If the wraith does show up that could come in pretty handy lad" John looked at Carson the last of the three to speak. He couldn't believe what he was hearing; yes a ZPM would be great but had they forgotten who was offing it.

"And have any of you thought what Kolya might ask for in return?" His question was met with nothing but blank stares.

"Thought not!" His voice filled with sarcasm and he retook his seat.

"Would Kolya have to come to Atlantis?" Teyla turned to Elizabeth changing the subject completely.

"I'd much rather they come here than we send some of our people to their world!" Elizabeth answered "Just in case" Teyla nodding understanding completely what the Doctor was afraid of.

"What about another planet …one neutral to both of us!" Zelenka queried.

"Too easy for an ambush!"

John nodded at Ronan's comment. As much as he hated to admit it, if they were going to go through with this Atlantis was the best place. At least then he'd be able to keep a close eye on Kolya and his men and there'd be no chance of other Genii coming through the gate.

"Ronan's right" John couldn't believe he was even going to say this. To allow that man into their city with or without a ZPM was crazy. "If we're going to do this, we do it here."

Elizabeth nodded glad that John was beginning to see the big picture. The possibilities this could bring. He wasn't happy that was obvious but Carson had been right, he might not like the idea of Kolya being their allies but at the moment there was no other option and he would do what was right.

"Your in charge John, what ever you want done will be done."

Over the next 3 days Atlantis was buzzing with activity. Kolya's arrival was planned for the next morning and everybody had their assignments to make sure things went with out a hitch.

Kolya would be arriving at 0900 the next morning, accompanied by 5 of his men; a scientist, two soldiers and his 2nd in command. Quarters had be allocated and prepared, security teams to be posted around the clock.

Rodney had prepared what equipment would be needed to test the ZPM the moment they arrived through the gate. The entire population of scientist were in a flurry of excitement at the possibility of extra power and new systems to explore.

Carson to had arrange for their guests to have a full health check once they were through the gate just as a precaution, also secretly preparing for any disagreements which might occur between Johns team and the Genii. It didn't hurt to be ready for anything.

Elizabeth had been going over security plans arranging the final details with the Genii.

Which left Teyla, Ronan and John to brief all the military personal on what would be taking place while the Genii where there. John had insisted that no weapons be allowed so a full check would be made once Kolya and his men arrived through the Stargate, There were to be two guards posted on each man at all times no matter where they went. Elizabeth hadn't been too happy with this but she agreed in the end.

Now all there was to do was wait!

"Two marine teams will be posted in the gate room as they arrive another at the infirmary. I've assign 2 men to each person; they've been order not to let them out of their sights. A team in the gate room at all times plus a team following Rodney and that damn ZPM around."

"It sounds like you have everything covered!" Elizabeth was impressed, ok maybe she thought John had gone a little bit over the top with security but with Kolya you could never be too sure.

"Not going to give that bastard a chance to get the better of us!"

"I agree"

John stared at Elizabeth a little longer sensing she had something else to say but the leader of Atlantis remained quiet just looking over the plans John had given her.

"Well … he sighed rising up from his chair. He could feel Elizabeth's eyes watch him as he stretched his arms trying to relieve some of the stress which had seemed to gather in his shoulders. "It's late, Kolya is schedules for 0900; marines will be in the gate room by 0830 …" he paused "I'm heading off to bed."

"Thank you John."

"For what?" John asked as he picked up his jacket from the back of the chair.

"I'm not even going to pretend I know what you went through with Kolya." She watched as John tensed not really wanting to have this conversation. "But I understand that you're angry and probably lots of other things as well."

"You could say that"

"But thank you for …" Elizabeth thought for a second wondering how to phrase it so John wouldn't feel to uncountable. "For putting that aside, and seeing that this is the right thing to do."

"I didn't say it was right."

"I just thought ..."

"Look Elizabeth" John didn't want her to continue, he'd been avoiding this conversation for the past few days. First Teyla, then Heightmeyer, Carson had a go and now Elizabeth. Even Rodney in his strange completely none tactful way tried to talk to him. "I know what you're trying to say," and truly he did, John just didn't want to hear her or anybody else to say it.

He knew talking about his feeling and all that crap might help, but John just wasn't good at doing it. The whole sharing your thoughts to make you feel better just wasn't meant for him.

"Do I think this is the right thing to do … no, and part of me still believes this is going to go terrible wrong." John saw that Elizabeth was about to comment quickly beating her to it. "Am I happy with what we're doing … hell no, but I understand why we are doing it. I realise it's the best thing for Atlantis to get a ZPM and if Kolya is our only way … so be it."

"Thank You"

Elizabeth watched as a grin appeared on John's face, a genuine Sheppard smile one that hadn't been seen for a while. She watched as he headed for the door, knowing that she had to tell him the main reason why she'd called this last minute meeting.

"Just remember if all this goes horrible wrong … I get to say 'I told you so'"

Elizabeth let out a small chuckle the old John was back but for how long she didn't know.

"John there's just one more thing I'd like to ask you."