Title: The Pi Covenent
Title: The Pi Covenent
Author: AshtakRa
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters: Ronon/Lorne, Sheppard, McKay
Rating: PG (for now)
Summary: A comrade recovered, but how much of him remains? Weir mentioned the existence of advanced civilisations but did not elaborate on their intentions - The Pi Covenent could be their doom, or their salvation.
Chapter Six
Sharmilla-Joth stood before the screens, gazing at the site before her. As with most of their technology the screens were circular, half a dozen of them crossing in places. It presented an image that was cut and pasted at its edges, a juxtaposition effect that Sharmilla-Joth enjoyed very much. Many others must have too for the display panels had not changed in millennia.
The image upon it however was one that was new; and they did so much enjoy new things.
"The structure is functional yet pleasing is it not Kellerax-Six?"
Kellerax-Six smiled on all three faces and scuttled closer to the taller Sharmilla-Joth. He was both exasperated and amused by her continued need for speech. They could just share thoughts or immerse in the Integration; instead she wanted to speak – and he was fond of her enough to indulge.
"I find the towers unsightly, and unnecessarily high, given the structure's design purpose."
"Just because it has engines and can fly does not make it a ship," intoned Sharmilla-Joth. "Who are we to encumber the designers with our ideas of what is and what should be?"
Two of his faces harrumphed loudly, the third simply scowled. "You say that because you like it – were it not to your liking you would judge as I do."
"Perhaps… is it that you disagree with our action that you say this?"
Kellerax-Six would have shrugged had he shoulders. "We have met humans before; they are an interesting species but hardly worthy of such expenditure of resources." He hesitated slightly when she did not answer. "Of course it is your decision as Apex but it would be derelict of me not to mention such things."
There was laughter in her voice as Sharmilla-Joth answered. "Do not concern yourselves Kellerax-Six, I would be concerned if you did not object." She glided forth to better study the screens as they flickered from planetary interference. "These humans are special, they have travelled galaxies and triumphed insurmountable odds…It would be unwise for us to underestimate them; and besides." She moved back past him as the screens went blank. "It is my decision."
SGASGASGASGA
The tears ran down his cheeks and there was not a thing he could do to stop it. This situation, the sight before him – it was all too overwhelming and he dared anyone not to do the same in his place.
"I'm sorry," Lorne managed to mutter before crumpling again.
"Its not funny," growled Ronon, standing before him in his temporary quarters.
Sneaking another peak between his fingers Lorne snorted again. "Its very funny, but not in a bad way."
"Call me when you can look me in the eye," Ronon spun and stalked to the door.
"Ronon." Lorne jumped up, sprinting around and blocking the exit. "Ronon please," he soothed, placing his hands on Ronon's chest. "I love it, really I do – I just never thought it would make you so…"
"What?" The question was both challenge and warning.
"Unbelievably hotter." He rubbed up against Ronon to show him he was being truthful, the taller man's eyes bulged then darkened as he felt the bulk of Lorne's honesty; he wasn't letting him off easy though.
"You still laughed."
"I just never thought you'd do it," he mumbled into Ronon's chest. There was no answer and he looked up; the expression on Ronon's face was one he rarely saw and, he put money on it, one others never saw. It was affection and happiness all mixed into one, and when it was aimed at you something inside snapped and all thoughts just melted away.
"I promised myself…" Ronon started but his words trailed off. He struggled out of Lorne's embrace and shoved him to the side, gently though so there was no hard feelings. "We have a meeting, you should be there."
"Me?" asked Lorne, while his existence was now known he had stayed out of the way, remaining, for the most part, in this tower where most of the non-Earth people lived – he found they were less likely to judge; both his current condition and his relationship with Ronon. "Are you sure John wants me there?"
Ronon frowned for just a moment. In the past Lorne would never have said 'John'. It would have been 'Colonel' or 'Colonel Sheppard'. He let it pass and shrugged. "He said both of us."
Lorne nodded. "Ronon, you really do look great – I love it."
The taller man frowned but decided Lorne was being truthful. He ran a hand through what was just now a thin layer of hair. "I haven't had it this short since I was a boy, I feel kind of exposed."
Pulling him back into the room Lorne started popping off buttons. "That's because you're about to be – John can wait a few more minutes I think."
Ronon wanted to argue but with Lorne's hands roaming over his chest and delving into his pants any resistance was soon overcome. Thinking how Sheppard would react was the furthest thing from his mind.
SGASGASGASGASGA
"There it goes again," muttered Chuck as the console beeped; that and his mumbling brought Radek over.
"It's the sixth planet this time, an orbital anomaly – only point zero zero three but enough to set off the alarm."
"Perhaps a comet, or a passing asteroid?" suggested Radek.
"Negative on both," answered Chuck. "We've picked up nothing that could affect an astral body the size of Six – it's a gas giant slightly bigger than Saturn!"
Muttering in his native language Radek checked his own tablet and shook his head. "I sent Rodney the data last time but he has not responded."
"Probably busy with…" Chuck paused and looked around the room. "Other things."
Radek nodded thoughtfully. "Send it to him anyway and I will ask him at the meeting."
Letting Radek leave Chuck brought up the system specs again. They had yet to come up with a proper name so had left it at naming the planets by number. All twelve were on the same plane, with only one more at an angle – so any changes were quickly noticeable. On his screen the sixth planet was highlighted in red as it showed a wobble in its path.
It would take something very big and dense to do that – and there was nothing else showing in the system. Chuck had been here long enough to know that nothing should be ignored, no matter how small. He flicked off the email but started working on simulations anyway; while not an astro-physicist he'd picked up a few things and the Atlantis system was very user-friendly.
In less than an hour he looked at his screen and double checked the figures. What he saw drained all the blood from his face and he leapt up racing for the meeting room.
SGASGASGASGASGA
The chair felt unusually hot and Lorne shifted then froze as he wondered if his movement was taken as guilt.
"I'm telling you Colonel, I have no memory of what happened. The first thing I know for sure is being back here… under guard."
"Well you weren't yourself," said McKay. "I can attest to that."
Lorne tried not to sweat as he saw Nox sitting in the empty chair, lounging and glaring at McKay.
you really need to tell him to shut up
Knowing better than to answer what the others would think a hallucination Lorne ignored him and tried to be more helpful to his team. "This other me, Nox, I know it wasn't really me but I do remember most of what he said, and did."
what I did? Oh you have no idea do you?
Gritting his teeth Lorne continued. "For what its worth I'm sorry – for what he put you through."
"It wasn't you – nothing else need be said," said Ronon, clasping a hand on his shoulder.
Sheppard stared at Ronon for a while, whether wondering to argue or getting used to the new look Lorne couldn't guess. His gaze swung back to Lorne.
"Look, I know this is hard, and sounds like we're interrogating you – but we have to try and understand. After all this we still have no idea who did this to you, how they got hold of ya and how you ended up in Genii hands."
Lorne felt another hand on his other shoulder, a hand covered in the metal of a hand device.
tell them nothing – they're trying to trick you. You know Sheppard, he'd never ask unless he knew some of the answer
Damn Nox but he was right. The friendly and relaxed aura Sheppard portrayed hid a sharp and sometimes ruthless mind and if Lorne knew anything a part of Sheppard had to admit that his former XO was not to be fully trusted anymore. How could he tell them anything when all he saw as flashed of things, fantastic and impossible things that even he could not believe.
that's right the voice was right in his ear, the lips tickling his lobe. give him the slightest excuse and you'll be back in that cage and they'll be calling you traitor
"I'm sorry Colonel, there's nothing I can tell you," he spread his hands on the table, more to stop them shaking than express his openness. "I remember the fight, the Wraith and then… nothing, its blank."
McKay just raised his eyebrows. Sheppard rubbed his jaw and shielded his expression while Woolsey, who had remained quiet until now cleared his throat.
"You should know that we were all in agreement about keeping you secure, after so long we had called off the search…"
Lorne slumped. "You stopped looking?" he whispered.
McKay interrupted, "We had no way of knowing – everything told us you were dead"
part of him still thinks that, they all do – your improvements are nothing but evidence to them that their Lorne is gone
Woolsey flipped shut his folder. "I think that's enough for now, perhaps we can start again after lunch."
His temper boiled, which was unusual but Lorne couldn't help it. "Start again! What the fuck for? I've told you what I know, I was willing to die for my team and probably fucking did!" He stood and glared at each of them save Ronon who had stood with him. "And yet here I stand – alive!"
He breathed out slowly and lowered his words. "Even if you think Nox is still in here – he fought the Wraith for you too, or did you forget that?"
Behind them he saw Nox walking, staying silent but with a wary expression on his face, probably worried that Lorne was pushing it too hard. Screw him too!
"Its me," he said breathlessly, the emotion catching in his throat as he thumped his chest. "Others have returned with less evidence and you've taken them in – what changed? Why won't you believe me?"
Silence greeted him as they sat licking their lips, as though on some judging panel and Lorne felt ice creep up his spine as he saw doubt and guilt spread across their faces. His intention to leave was only interrupted by Chuck racing in.
The technician slammed down his tablet and spun it around.
"We have less than two days before it gets here."
Lorne could not understand the flow of data or the ream of equations, what he could see was an icon out by the sixth planet.
In that moment he knew and if he had felt ice before it was like liquid nitrogen now. He looked up at Nox.
Nox was gone.
Tbc…