Chapter 12: We'll have to resort to Plan B

"Whatever we're gonna do, we need to do it tonight," Sheppard said as he strode back into Rodney's lab purposefully.

"I need more time," Rodney protested. "I still haven't worked out a way to bridge Aperio's systems so we can transfer her to the main database."

"We don't have more time McKay," Sheppard said pointedly. "General Landry has ordered me back to Earth – I leave in the morning."

"No way," Rodney uttered in disbelief. "Elizabeth would never allow that."

"She not only allowed it – she fully supports it," Sheppard's expression showed the betrayal he was feeling over that. "If you can't create a bridge through the systems code we'll have to resort to Plan B."

"Plan B?" Rodney asked in confusion.

"Plan B," Sheppard reiterated. "I escort Aperio from the room to the tower lab as she originally requested. She seemed to believe that would be enough for her to be set free."

"Let me go down there first and rig up some monitoring equipment," Rodney suggested. "That way we'll know as we go if her program is making the transition from the room into the main systems."

"Make it quick," Sheppard ordered, amused when Rodney jumped up immediately with laptop in hand. "Radio me when you're ready."

x

Sheppard had intended to let Rodney go down to Aperio's room by himself but something urged him to tag Rodney and keep watch. He couldn't really think of anything that could possibly happen, just that the thought of Rodney down there by himself didn't sit right.

Lucky for him Rodney had locked the door into the open position, allowing John to hear what was going on inside. Standing off to the side out of view he listened as Rodney mumbled to himself, probably connecting his equipment to the console just like he usually did.

"This isn't right," Sheppard heard Rodney mutter a few moments later. "Why are these here?"

"The program barriers are there to stop me from escaping Doctor McKay," Aperio's voice brought John up short. Was she talking to Rodney? Could he actually see her? And what the hell did that mean?

"Uh," Rodney's voice sounded nervous. "Sheppard never mentioned how ... ah ... how hot you are."

"Thank you," Aperio's voice rang with amusement. "Colonel Sheppard's mental image of you is intriguing ... he considers you most likely to believe and support him but at the same time also most likely to cause problems he'll end up having to fix."

"That's both surprising and insulting," Rodney replied in a still shaky voice. "Ah – why can I see you?"

"That really is the question isn't it?" Aperio laughed. "Unfortunately you won't be around to hear the answer."

"Stop right there Aperio," Sheppard said mildly from the doorway.

Before Sheppard could even blink Aperio was behind Rodney, his head clasped in a firm and purposeful hold that made it clear she could break his neck with little effort. She must have been stronger than she looked because although Rodney was struggling he seemed unable to shake her.

"You don't want to do that," Sheppard cautioned grimly. "I guarantee that horrific nightmares or anything else you can throw at me won't convince me to help you if you hurt him."

"Take me to the tower and I will release him unharmed," Aperio negotiated.

"See I was thinking about that," Sheppard said conversationally, taking a step into the room. "From day one that's what you wanted – not to be released from your 'prison' in this room but to be taken to that laboratory."

"I told you," Aperio said reasonably. "Only from that room can I reveal to you all the secrets of the city."

"You mean that's the only place within the system that's vulnerable to your real plan," Sheppard countered. "See I worked part of it out. The Ancients didn't imprison you because they were scared of the control you could take. They imprisoned you because of the control you did take."

"The city was mine to control," Aperio said heatedly. "I cannot fulfil my purpose unless I am allowed to move freely throughout all the systems."

"And you really need to fulfil your purpose, don't you?" Sheppard quizzed.

"It is the only way I can achieve true freedom to define my destiny as I see fit," Aperio replied fanatically.

"But you need me," Sheppard pointed out. "In fact you can't do it without me. Why is that?"

"You will do what I ask or I will kill your friend," Aperio threatened. "Now open the door and escort me to the tower."

Sheppard's gaze connected with Rodney's, silently communicating to him that he wouldn't let Aperio kill him. Assessing Aperio silently, Sheppard came to a decision.

"All right," he agreed casually.

"Don't do it Sheppard," Rodney choked out, wincing when Aperio tightened her hold around his neck.

Sheppard shook his head at Rodney, backing slowly to the door and out into the corridor. It was a risk – if he was wrong things were about to get much, much worse. "Would you join me out here Aperio?" he invited.

"Finally," Aperio smiled triumphantly, dragging Rodney through the doorway. "And now the tower," she ordered.

"Not so fast," Sheppard blocked her path. "Now it's your turn to give me something – release McKay."

"And how do I know you will honour our agreement?" Aperio asked quizzically.

"John," Sheppard tensed at the long absent chorus of voices now whispering in his head. "We need to speak with you ... can you go to your quarters so that we may talk freely?"

Thinking fast, Sheppard looked intently at Rodney, still clasped in Aperio's hold. The idea he came up with was out there but it just might be enough to distract her.

"I want to help you," Sheppard offered that explanation with as much sincerity as he could muster. "And I have an idea to get you where you want to go – to get you that true freedom you want so badly - without having to finish what you were designed for."

"How?" Aperio demanded.

"Ascension," Sheppard said simply. "You could join the creators on a higher plain of existence."

"Yes," Aperio said reverently. "This is what I wish to achieve. And you can help me?"

"I need to check a couple of things first, and talk to Doctor Weir too," Sheppard explained. "Then I'll know if it's really possible. I don't suppose you'd agree to release McKay while I do that?"

"And give up my bargaining power?" Aperio smiled at Sheppard's audacity. "You have an hour ... I will detain Doctor McKay here but I promise he will be safe as long as you return within that time."

"Okay," Sheppard agreed. Looking at Rodney reassuringly, he added "McKay - hold it together until I get back."

Not waiting for a reply John ran down the corridor, heading straight for his quarters. Once there he stood in the centre of the room, preparing to open himself to the awareness he'd missed more than he'd realised until he'd heard it again minutes before.

"I'm here," he said expectantly.

"And I am glad to see you," the chorus came not from his head, but from the space directly behind him.

Turning reluctantly, Sheppard froze at the figure now present in his room. While the wardrobe was similar to Aperio's this woman could not have been more different. She had shoulder length brown hair liberally scattered with grey. Her eyes were a warm blue, sparkling with humour, almost childlike but at the same time containing an awareness that was ageless. In fact she put John very much in mind of his Grandmother – at least the feeling of her he had in his head from when he was a child.

"Let me guess," he offered, sinking down to sit on his bed in shock. "You're Atlantis."