Chapter 5: The Week Continues
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.
Rate and Review :)
The entire ship was abuzz with activity as the scientists went back and forth performing diagnostics and making necessary changes to systems to get the working. Loros was busy in the Control Room, trying to get the repair robots to work faster whilst Sheppard monitored the Wraith Cruiser's progress.
"Son of a bitch" he heard the Major say under his breath.
"What is wrong?" the Lantean asked.
"A second cruiser has joined the first one on it's flight here" Sheppard said and the Lantean gave a sigh as he worked faster than before. "How are the scientists doing?" he asked.
"I just received the updated diagnostics report. We should be able to leave the planet soon. They only need to make a few more adjustments and then it should be ready to go. That is if all goes well" he said and Sheppard came to stand on one of the balconies overlooking the main hangar.
"Just how powerful are these ships?" he asked.
"Quite powerful. The Home Guard Fleet were five of the most powerful ships that we had constructed, with the strongest shields and weapons we could create. The pulse guns were used as back-up weapons in the event of the usage of all of the drones and were also used for fighter combat" Loros explained, standing next to him.
"And you controlled one of those?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes" was the simple answer.
"This would definitely give the Prometheus a run for its money" John said and at the Lanteans look, he explained. "It's our sole interplanetary ship. It's equipped with Asgard shields, beaming technology and simple fighter combat weapons" John explained and Loros raised a brow.
"You are allies with the Asgard?"
"Yeah" was the simple reply.
"You had to have worked hard to gain their trust, especially if they had given you shields and other technology to use. It took my ancestors many years to gain the trust of them" Loros explained.
"I don't know all the details. I just recently began working our governments Stargate program"
"I see" Loros replied. "You display an inherent talent for the use of our gene. Or so the city tells me" he said, making new conversation.
"It's one of the reasons I was chosen for the expedition"
"Still, to have a gene that powerful. It is on par with some of the Council and they were the most able users of our technology" Loros said and the man scratched his head nervously, as though not used to praise.
"I do?" he asked for confirmation.
"If the city is able to respond positively to you, it must be"
"So, theoretically, if we were to find one of those ships, then I'd be able to command it with ease?" he asked and Loros thought for a moment, before giving a nod.
"Providing that you give the correct mental commands then yes. Even Dr. McKay and his artificial gene would have little to no trouble at all in commanding one of our warships" Loros said. "However, given his general excitement and just from what you say about his control of one of the Puddle Jumpers we will not be telling him that any time soon" the Lantean said with a grin and Sheppard returned it.
"Agreed" was the simple thing.
"What's agreed?" Rodney asked as he came into the room.
"Nothing of any consequence Dr. McKay, I assure you" the Lantean said with a smile.
"How's it going?" Sheppard asked
"We should be able to get the hyperdrive up and running soon so we can leave without attracting any more Wraith, however, there is still a massive power transfer problem between the shields and the anti-fighter weapons"
"Can it be fixed?" Sheppard asked.
"If you're willing to risk another few hours" Rodney said.
"A few hours? Wraith sensors aren't that strong" Loros said, brow raised.
"Thanks to a data device we were able to get off of one of their Hives, we've been able to accurately predict the sensor capabilities of all of the Wraith ships. Or at least the larger ones" Rodney explained.
"Still, on a Cruiser?"
"Let's not forget that an active Stargate is a massive subspace event" the physicist added.
"That was how the Wraith were able to get survivors of cullings. Some would drop out on the receiving end of a Stargate after the evacuee's made it through" Teyla explained and Loros looked grim.
"It is not a pressing matter, there are still plenty of drones on board"
"I'll let you know the minute we're ready" Rodney said rushing out of the Control Room.
"We're cutting it really close" Sheppard said and the Lantean nodded.
They all returned to the ship and worked as hard as they could, AR-1 contributing when they could, but that mostly involved the passing of tools and the holding of torches. Loros sat in the Captains chair on the Bridge and accessed it's main systems, information flowing through his mind.
"How are we?" he heard McKay ask.
"The shields are now functioning at maximum capacity. Sublight engines are operational and we also have access to the drones. Hyperdrive is operational" he said with a smile.
"So we're clear to go?"
"Activate the hangar control and then we are" Loros said and the other nodded.
The ground seemed to slide open, revealing the metallic interior of the hangar and the large vessel that had slowly begun to rise from it. Once it was clear of the hangar, the Helios tilted upward and began to soar into the sky.
"This beats Jumpers by a long shot" Sheppard said from his seat.
"I can't believe it actually works" McKay added.
"The outpost is no longer visible on the sensors" Loros reported to them.
Then, with a single thought, he managed to open up a hyperspace window, despite severe stress on it's already taxed power systems. He soon started shutting down all non-essential systems and diverted as much power as he could to the hyperdrive, reducing the stress for the most part.
"I'm reading stress on the power system" Rodney said.
"It is fine Rodney. I have already shut down any non-essential systems and diverted the power from those to the hyperdrive" Loros explained.
"How are we meant to power this?" John asked.
"Despite it's size, it can run for years by drawing a small amount of power from the Zero Point Module we have. There are alternate methods, however" the Lantean explained.
"Are you suggesting a power transfer?" Rodney asked.
"It is possible. The generators on board this ship act like your batteries from Earth. From time to time, they need to be recharged. We can use the power generators that you have brought from Earth to power the pulse-weapons so we do not have to divide power between the shields and both types of weapons" he suggested.
"I'll get to work on it" Rodney said.
"How long until we get back to Atlantis?" Sheppard asked.
"We should arrive back at Lantea in an hour or so" Loros said, relaxing in the seat and continuing to allow the information in his mind to flow gracefully. He sighed in contentment. Despite it's intent, to have familiar information in his mind made him a little more comfortable.
John drowned out everything as he looked at the Lanteans peaceful face. His eyes were closed, a small, gentle smile was on his face, his body was quite relaxed. He mentally laughed. He imagined all Lanteans to be uptight even arrogant, especially judging by their obvious overconfidence in their own technology.
"Are you even listening?" Rodney asked, unaware at what had his fascination.
"Leave him be, Rodney" Teyla said and Sheppard missed her knowing tone, continuing to think.
This Lantean was different to the ones that were described briefly in the holographic woman's message in the holo room. He was calm, much like she was, however he was more humble, judging by the fact that he admitted that even artificial genes could control one of the most powerful pieces of technology that his people had ever created.
"Is everything well John?" an elegant, concerned voice asked and he jolted out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Just tired" he said quickly.
"We will be home soon. I myself am looking forward to getting some rest" Loros said with a small smile, although he had a knowing look in his eyes.
(One Hour Later)
The Helios dropped out of hyperspace above the planet, much to the relief of everyone on board who had the same idea as the Lantean and military commander. Loros slipped back into the systems to get the sub-space communications on.
"Atlantis, this is Loros" he said.
"Good to see you're back" Elizabeth said, clearly relieved.
"Yes and I come bearing a gift" he said with a small smile.
"I'll assemble another team to switch with the original. I bet their tired" Elizabeth said.
"Very well then. Have any additional Wraith vessels been detected by the deep-space sensors?" he asked, concern in his voice. It was a question that had been niggling away at him for a while since the appearance of the two Cruisers, and he thought that many more Wraith were mobilizing.
"No, still three, for now" she said.
"Okay" he replied, relieved. "I am sending a map to one of your computers. Please make sure that the next science team receives it as it leads to the landing pads on one of the piers" he said, tapping some commands into the panel on his chair.
"I will. Land and get some rest" Elizabeth said, her tone motherly.
"I shall. Helios out" he said and he flicked them off.
"Rest?" Rodney said and Loros smile tiredly.
"Yes Rodney, rest. Comfortable mattress with a warm quilt and thick pillows" he said almost dreamily.
The ship touched down gently on the pad and Loros began to power down all of it's systems, save for the lights. He looked out at the now lit city in the night and he couldn't help but continue to think of his comfortable bed as he walked through the deserted halls of that section of the city.
"You seem pretty tired" John said behind him.
"I am" was the simple reply.
"I mean more so"
"I'm just concerned. We have a ZPM and a ship, but will it be enough to hold them off? When we had all of the technology at our disposal, we still lost that war" Loros said, sounding disheartened.
"We'll play it strategic" Sheppard said.
"We tried that and look where it got my people"
"Your people were more pacifist. You said so yourself, your people fled from their first enemy before a war had even begun. Not to mention you were outnumbered" he tried to console, a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Numbers do not always win a battle" Loros said sagely.
"No, they don't. So lets prove it"
They stopped walking and the Lantean turned to look at John, seeing nothing but reassurance and a lot of determination burning in his hazel eyes. Loros raised his hand to encompass the one on his shoulder and despite Sheppard's terrible knack for emotions, he didn't pull away.
"Thank you, John" he said with a warm smile.
"It's no problem. Get some rest and I'll see you in the morning" he said and the other removed his hand.
"You as well" Loros said, all of a sudden missing the warmth that seeped through his shirt.
The military commander jogged to the nearest transporter and hit the required place whilst he took the time to walk there. Soon he arrived and he removed all of his clothes, leaving only the boxers that were provided with the rest of his uniform.
"We will prove it" he said when he looked out over the ocean.
He peeled back his blankets and climbed in, pulling them back up to chest level and allowing his head to hit the thick pillows. With a soft sigh, he closed his gray eyes and began to drift into the embrace of sleep.
(Dream)
He was rooted to the spot on the Control Tower balcony as the sound of explosions and screams could be heard around him. He watched as a group of the Expedition were beamed up into one of the Wraith Darts. His attention was drawn to an explosion as a tower was hit by a powerful weapon.
"No" he whispered in horror, sadness and despair.
"Dial out!" he heard Elizabeth command from within the Control Room.
He was aware of the DHD been pressed but he heard a negative whir come from the Stargate. He could not go back in there, however, for he was still rooted to the spot. The tower shudders violently as one of the Wraith weapons makes contact with the structure.
"It's not working!" a technician yelled.
An orange glow bathed the city now as pillars of smoke rose from the Central City and the surrounding piers. The tower shook again as another shot hit the tower, causing several computers and panels to spark out in the Control Room.
"We have to set the self-destruct" he heard Sheppard say.
He was aware of typing on one of their computers and then a beeping. It was seconds later that a white light encompassed him as well as searing heat and he screamed.
(End of Dream)
He shot up as the dream ended, a cold sweat cascading down his body and his chest was heaving as he breathed heavy and fast. He peeled the quilt off and swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat in that spot for a few minutes, head buried in his hands.
"It was merely a dream" he said to himself.
He dressed in his casual wear, consisting of a white shirt with one random Ancient symbol on each of the sleeves and a pair of off-white combats. He pulled on socks but chose to forsake his shoes as he swiped his hand over the sensor and left his room, heading for a transporter and picking the Control Tower as his destination.
"Are you feeling okay, sir?" he heard Chuck, the night technician, ask in concern.
"Do not worry yourself, Chuck. I merely could not sleep" he replied with a soft smile.
He walked out of the room and into the cool evening breeze on the balcony, leaning against the railing and looking over the city that he had known as his only home. He heard the door slide open then.
"Loros?" to his surprise, it was Sheppard, not Weir who had come out as he expected.
"John? Why are you awake?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same thing" Sheppard gave a retort and a half-hearted grin and Loros gave a small smile in response, though it didn't seem all that genuine. "So what's keeping you up?" Sheppard asked, noting his slightly tense posture.
"Just a dream" was the simple reply.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"You will think it's rather ridiculous" he said.
"I find the amount of time that Rodney can speak for ridiculous. Try me" Sheppard replied.
"It was about the impending siege" he began. "I could see everything and hear everything and yet I was powerless to do anything. I was rooted to the spot, yet I desperately wanted to move, to do something to help"
"Go on" he urged gently.
"An orange glow was cast over the city. It was burning. I could hear the beam from the Darts and the screams of people. I could hear Elizabeth trying to begin evacuations but the Stargate would not lock on to the address you were trying. Then I heard you" Loros said.
"Me?"
"Yes"
"What did I say?"
"You suggested activating the self-destruct mechanism. I heard typing on the laptops for a moment and then a white light engulfed me. I could feel searing heat and I screamed, before waking up" he said and once more he looked out over the city, as though he were it's guardian angel. "It is a fear I have had for a while, since the first news of the ships heading here" he added.
"It won't happen" John said resolutely, taking his hand on the railing.
"It may not, but it is a constant fear that I have held" Loros said, grateful for the comfort.
"Ever since the first siege?" he asked and the other nodded. "What was it like?" he asked.
"It was tiring. We worked non-stop through the days, constantly changing who was on the Control Chair just so people could rest. Sometimes people would be in there for hours firing drones or trying to command automated systems to create more"
"Did you?"
"Yes. I spent two hours firing drones and a further four replacing as many as I could. Whilst it may not seem it, for some it is tiring to focus that much mental energy into replacing weapons and controlling them over long distances. I was younger and thus was my gene wasn't as advanced as many of the other Lanteans" Loros said.
"I thought your people could handle it?" John asked, confused.
"We have been technologically advanced, John. However, we were also still human" he said with a rueful smile. "However, ten thousand years of stasis has allowed me to develop and I will be damned if I am going to let this city fall" he said passionately.
With a grin, the two of them sat down, backs to the railing and talked. John would talk about his life before Pegasus and Loros would describe his life before the war and some of the planets he had been to in his life. Fatigue soon caught up with them however and they fell asleep on the balcony. Elizabeth peaked through the open door and spotted the two of them lying there and with a smile she made her way back in, finding a blanket and some pillows and with help from some of the technicians, they had managed to make them more comfortable, though they slept through it all. No nightmares troubled either of them that beautiful, clear night and unconsciously, Loros snuggled closer into John.
"I'd best make sure that door is locked until they wake up" Elizabeth said.
As though hearing her, the city sealed the door and a lock could be heard. She also noticed the windows had gone considerably darker, so much so that, had she not known they were out there, no one could see. She smiled and silently thanked the city, before closing her computer down and turning for a few hours of sleep.