Stargate Genesis

Episode 20

"Safe Haven"

/Author's Note: Season One is almost over, but Stargate Genesis isn't over by a long shot! Subscribe to our author alerts to stay updated on future stories and Stargate Genesis Season Two, coming next year./

"There is a Wraith presence nearby," said Teyla, holding a hand to her temple.

"That's my least favorite kind of presence," said Rodney, clutching his P90 like a security blanket.

Ronon scanned the horizon cautiously. The heat of desert distorted the air, and the former runner squinted his eyes. He didn't like having his vision impaired - anything could be waiting for them out there.

"How much longer?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at Teyla, who was ushering refugees through the stargate.

"We are nearly done," said Teyla.

"This is the last group," confirmed Rodney. "We should get out of here before that Wraith presence shows up."

"They were here once, they'll be back," said Ronon.

Teyla closed her eyes against the pain in her head.

"Teyla?" asked Rodney, as the last of the native refugees walked through the gate.

"It is as though there is a Queen nearby," said Teyla, "but not like a Queen I have ever felt before."

She opened her eyes and looked around, coming out of a haze.

"Yes," she said. "It's time to go home."

~~00~~

"So you're telling me that the Wraith came and destroyed the village, but didn't cull any of the people?" asked Woolsey, furrowing his brow. He pushed himself back from his desk and stood up. "Why would they do that?"

"It is not a Wraith tactic I am familiar with," said Teyla.

"Maybe they were marking them, for later," said Ronon.

"And then you brought the survivors here?" asked Woolsey. "What if that's what the Wraith wanted us to do? You could have lead them straight to us!"

"They have no where else to go," urged Teyla. "And we have plenty of room."

"And it's not like we have to worry about the Wraith coming here anymore, Woolsey," said Ronon, smirking. "Now that we've got the Armada, if the Wraith come here, we'll blast 'em outta the sky."

"What about the children?" asked Woolsey. "Why are there no children? And for that matter, there are barely any women."

"It seems to be a touchy subject," said Teyla. "Their leader informed me that there was a plague on their planet."

"Wiped out all the kids, and most of the women," confirmed Ronon.

Woolsey stopped to consider this information.

"They can stay here for now," he conceded, "but I want them contained until we know more about the attack. We can't take any risks."

"Of course," said Teyla. She nodded to Ronon, and they both walked out of the office. Woolsey sat down in his chair and sighed. He picked up the latest edition of The Morning Herald from his desk and examined the horoscope.

"Something unexpected is coming your way…" he read under his breath. "Great."

~~00~~

Caleb stood up and walked over to one of the marines guarding the room.

"Why are we being held here?" he asked, gesturing back toward his people. "They told us you came to rescue us, not imprison us."

"We're just taking precautions," said the marine without making eye contact. "Standard protocol."

Caleb ran his hands through his bleach-white hair. The others chose to dye their hair black or brown, but he preferred its natural state.

"Surely you can see we are not a threat," he insisted. "Our home was destroyed. If you will not let us leave to find a new home, will you at least allow us better accommodations? The woman - Teyla Emmagen - told me that this city is vast and mostly vacant. She said there are many comfortable rooms."

"And yet here we sit on the cold floor!" shouted another one of Caleb's people.

"Sir, please return to your seat," said the marine. "You will be moved as soon as we are given the proper authorization."

Caleb considered him carefully and then nodded, returning to his place on the floor.

"This will not do," whispered Thomas, next to him.

"Patience," urged Caleb. "Our time will come."

~~00~~

Admiral Caldwell stood on the bridge of the Enlil, listening to a hologram of Commander Woolsey.

"Teyla empathizes with the refugees, and I can understand why," said Woolsey, "but I'm still not sure they can be trusted."

"We are going to stay cloaked. If there is a Wraith informant among them it's best they think we are still defenseless - they might send what remains of their fleet here, where we can crush them," said Caldwell.

"While I hope these people are who they say they are, I suppose it's best to stay cautious," said Woolsey.

"Sounds good to me," said Caldwell. "We'll keep our distance."

"I've ordered Major Romanoff to stay behind with the Daedalus," said Woolsey.

"Yes, sir," confirmed Caldwell.

"Godspeed, Admiral," said Woolsey.

"Same to you, Commander," said Caldwell, before shutting off the comm.

~~00~~

One Week Later:

Caleb sat in the cafeteria, drinking a cup of coffee. He looked up as Commander Woolsey sat down across from him with a newspaper in one hand and a cup of his own in the other.

"Good morning, Caleb," said Woolsey, smiling.

"And you, Commander," replied Caleb, lifting his mug in salute. He took a long drink.

"I do love this drink," he said. "My people have nothing like it."

"We are quite fond of it as well," said Woolsey. "Some of us can't function without it. I don't really feel right until I've had my first three cups in the morning."

"You know, Commander, not all addictions are bad," said Caleb, smiling. "Is it wrong to indulge in something that… revitalizes you?"

"Well, if you put it that way, I suppose not," said Woolsey. "Speaking of revitalizing, how are your people settling in to their new accommodations? We're still working on finding a suitable new home planet for you, but until then, you are welcome as our guests."

"Thank you, Commander," said Caleb. "We are very comfortable here, and we are happy you are allowing us to help out around the city. It's the least we can do to repay your kindness."

"I did have one question, though," said Woolsey, setting his newspaper on the bench next to him and leaning in towards Caleb. "I know this may be a touchy subject, but I need you to tell me what happened to your children."

"What?" asked Caleb.

"Every member of your village is a grown man or woman, and there are precious few women at that," said Woolsey. "Teyla tells me there was a plague on your planet, but Doctor Beckett ran blood tests on all your people, and he didn't detect a contagion of any kind."

"I'm not a doctor, Commander," said Caleb. "A few months ago, the children started to get sick, then the mothers got sick. Within a month, they were all dead. I can't explain it. My own wife and children died in the plague."

"I'm very sorry for your loss," said Woolsey. "But you understand that we need to know as much as we can. What happened to you could be a threat to everyone in this galaxy."

"Of course, Commander," said Caleb. "Anything you want to know."

Across the cafeteria, Ronon and Rodney sat eating breakfast.

"What do you think they're talking about?" asked Ronon, before shoveling more bacon into his mouth.

"Were you even listening to what I was saying?" responded Rodney, cutting into the stack of pancakes in front of him. "I think the kitchen staff are lacing the water with lemon! You know I'm allergic to-"

"You know who that Caleb guy kinda looks like?" asked Ronon. "Remember that Wraith bastard Michael?"

Rodney put down his knife and looked over at the table where Woolsey and Caleb were talking.

"You don't think…"

~~00~~

She was a new Queen. Especially young, by Wraith standards, but strong. She could feel the Wraith under her control, brimming with life and hunger. She relished in their fear of her. The transition into her new form had been painful, but already she could scarcely imagine a life without the immense power she now possessed by right.

From atop her throne, she watched as one of her subjects entered the room and bowed before her.

"My Queen," growled the Wraith.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Everything is happening as planned," said the Wraith. "But I am curious, my Queen, why you chose to transform my brothers into such a vile form. Would it not have been easier to send your own people, who already possess frail human flesh?"

She hissed and rushed forward, grabbing the Wraith by the neck and lifting him into the air.

"You dare question your Queen?" she asked. When the Wraith did not respond, she cast him to the side, where he lay crumpled on the floor.

"My people are known to the Lanteans," she said. "With our new, perfected human-form serum, the infiltrators I have sent will be strangers to Teyla Emmagen and her ilk."

She walked slowly back to her throne, and turned around to face the remaining Wraith in the room.

"For I am Larrin, Queen of the Wraith," she bellowed, "and on my command, Atlantis will fall!"

Teyla awoke in a cold sweat. Sitting up, she threw off her covers and quickly began to get dressed.

"Commander Woolsey, please respond," she said into her comm, but there was no response. Teyla ran to the door, but before she could reach the control panel, the door slid open on its own. A man stood in the hallway, blocking her path.

"You," said Teyla, producing twin knives from her belt. "There was no plague, was there?"

"Oh, you are astute," said Caleb. "Let's just keep this our little secret, shall we?"

Written by Caleb Palmquist

Story by Caleb Palmquist and Andrew Marron