Chapter 3
Author's Note- Sorry it took so long to post this I can't give you an ETA on when the next chapter will be posted however I do intend to continue writing the story I'm currently on chapter 10 I just hate editing it.
Sheppard stood next to the airlock waiting for it to open with the first batch of scientists. After a few minutes he heard the airlock hiss as the pressure equalized. When the door swung open Sheppard greeted the scientists and they gathered around the large entrance chamber.
"Okay Sheppard what happened last time?" Rodney asked as he stepped out of the airlock.
"The ship deemed you a security threat and removed you," he promptly answered Rodney.
"Is there a reason that it didn't send you back?" Rodney asked pointing to a corner in the room .
"Probably but it won't tell me," He said as the scientists began unpacking their gear.
"How did it send us back?"
"Teleporters I guess I don't really know."
"But the shield," Rodney started before being cut off by Sheppard.
"I think that this ship has at least some connection to Atlantis so maybe it sent some sort of code, but aren't you here to figure all that stuff out."
"Yes but I'd just like to know how it sent us and the jumper back to Atlantis and knew right where we parked," he said still pressing Sheppard for more information.
"Well it deemed you a threat and teleported you off that's about all I know."
"And I trust it won't be doing that again?" Rodney asked still nervous about being on a ship that had moved across the galaxy at unheard of speeds using unknown technology and with unknown motives.
"Nope were all on the list now," Sheppard said heading over to one of the scientists who was opening one of the airlock controls and attaching cables to it.
"Why weren't you removed with us?" Rodney said attracting Sheppard's' attention again.
"I don't know and he won't tell me," Sheppard said indicating the ships walls.
"Who's he?" Rodney asked confused
"The AI," Sheppard replied as he began meandering over towards the door looking at what each scientist was doing as he passed them. Most were still unpacking a few were standing around talking to each other.
"It's a guy?"
"Yes Rodney a very old guy actually, why what were you expecting it to be?" Sheppard said a slight hint of smugness in his voice.
Rodney ignored Sheppard's question, "What makes you think that this ship has a connection to Atlantis?"
"Just a feeling the AI mentioned that the ancients called him ancient so they had at least some contact together."
Satisfied that Sheppard had told him everything he knew, Rodney turned to his scientists, "Okay well then let's get to work."
"I'll be in the command center," Sheppard called leaving Rodney to supervise his scientists.
Rodney turned to his scientists and began issuing orders," You two go into the engine room and figure out what powers this ship, you three head to the weapon control room and figure out what kind weapons this ship has," he said pointing to the scientists.
"And you sir?" one of his new scientists asked, while the others just looked at her like she was crazy a few of them fighting to stifle their laughs.
"I will be doing everything that the five of you aren't, now let's go," Rodney replied dismissively.
His scientists shuffled out of the room following his orders. Rodney headed to the command center, before entering though he heard Sheppard talking, Rodney assumed would be the AI since he hadn't ordered any of his scientists into this section he decided that listening to what Sheppard was talking about might be interesting.
"So what are the science teams going to do?" he heard an unknown voice say from within in the room as he leaned against the wall.
"Just poke around the ship a bit, they won't do any damage, they're just trying to figure out what makes it go and what kind of weapons you have," Sheppard reassured the other voice which Rodney assumed was the AI.
"They will be unsuccessful unless they have clearance," he heard the first voice confidently declare from within.
"Yes well no one left alive has clearance," Sheppard said dryly.
"That is incorrect there are several still alive with clearance," Rodney was stunned by the AI's statement and stood against the wall with his mouth open.
"Ok non ascended beings," Rodney hastily closed his mouth realizing that Sheppard was right obviously some of the ancients who ascended would have had clearance.
"That decreases the number down to 1," Rodney was once again shocked there was someone still alive, but who?
"Wait there is someone left in human form that has clearance?" Sheppard asked shocked although a little less so than Rodney.
"That is correct," the AI said happily.
At hearing that Rodney was unable to contain himself anymore, "Who and where they are?" he demanded from the AI as he walked through the doorway. However as soon he asked the question however the AI disappeared.
Sheppard turned around to face Rodney looking very angry, "Great job Rodney you scared him away and have you been spying on me."
"No...I was...I...was just," he sputtered.
"Yeah right just do whatever you have to do and leave, I don't think this ship likes you."
"I have a lot of work to do I won't be leaving anytime soon," Rodney informed him.
"Ok Rodney just hurry up." Sheppard said moving around the room looking for somewhere to sit down.
Several Hours later
"THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE," Rodney screamed at the console.
"Calm down Rodney," Sheppard said half heartedly knowing it was a wasted effort.
"But none of this stuff works it just doesn't make sense it worked for you perfectly fine a few hours earlier," Rodney said slumping to the ground next to the console that he had been working on. Sheppard stood up from where he had been sitting for the past few hours and crossed the room to where Rodney had been working.
"Maybe it's because I have the natural ATA gene and I didn't scare away the thing that runs the whole ship," He said tapping a few buttons on the dark keyboard.
"Doctor whatever her name is has it to but it doesn't work for her."
"Rodney you need to relax and calm down," He turned to the pedestal that the AI had previously inhabited. Turning around and looking upwards at the ceiling, "AI can you please tell me why this ship only responded to me?"
"Would you give up the AI hasn't been on in hours," Rodney said annoyed at Sheppard's latest attempt to turn on the AI.
"Well maybe if you hadn't scared him."
Sheppard faced Rodney again, "Well that information was very important, besides how was I supposed to know that the AI scared easily."
"I'm sure we'll eventually figure it out."
"Yes but I don't have time to wait," Rodney said impatiently as he got up off of the floor.
"Relax Rodney the ship isn't going anywhere," Sheppard said attempting to reassure the scientist.
"Ok let's try some minor systems again," Rodney said willing to try again despite the slim chances of it working.
"Which one?" Sheppard asked walking around the room randomly pressing buttons on the consoles to no affect.
"Internal sensors," Rodney said moving over to a nearby console and tapping a few keys in a vain attempt to turn it on. Sheppard watched Rodney as he once again tried to turn on a system however it still didn't work.
"OH COME ON," he screamed at the machine. After a few minutes he stopped screaming at the machine and calmed down. "Ok what are we going to do?" Rodney asked.
"About?" Sheppard replied.
"Well I haven't noticed anywhere to sleep and I don't think even I am going to be able to solve this in a day."
"You don't say, besides we could always land on Atlantis."
"What a brilliant plan let's put a ship run by an AI which managed to teleport us back through the shield that guards the gate. We have absolutely no idea what the AI plans to do for all we know it's just waiting to destroy Atlantis. And that's ignoring the fact that we can't even move the ship."
"Fine I'll have Lorne shuttle you back and forth on the jumper," Sheppard offered.
"And you?"
"I'm staying here hopefully the AI will turn back on and I can always sleep on the floor."
"I'm not doing that I've got back problems," Rodney complained.
"Ok is everyone on the ship?" Major Lorne asked.
"Yes take us back to Atlantis," Rodney managed to reply despite being engrossed in reviewing the data on his tablet.
"So why isn't Colonel Sheppard coming back."
"He wanted to stay on the ship, I have no idea why," he said dismissively turning his full attention to his tablet.
As Lorne began his descent back he reflected on the past couple of weeks and his upcoming debriefing with Carter. Well this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be the scientists are all being quiet even Rodney isn't complaining, I guess he's got some good data on there. What did happen to Colonel Sheppard on that ship, I would have never thought that he would have wanted to stay on the ship more than Rodney. I'll probably find out at the briefing nothing to worry about I'm sure. Well hopefully I can get some sleep when we get back, yeah like that's going to happen I haven't gotten any real sleep all month.
When he arrived he already saw his entire team around the table. "Thank you Major Lorne for taking the time to shuttle the scientists back and forth," Colonel Carter started seeing that he didn't appear to be very happy to be here.
"Do we have any idea of what that ship is?" he asked her taking a seat. He looked down at the table not really interested in the answer.
"Weren't you there sir," One of his soldiers asked.
"No, I stayed in the jumper."
"None the scientists were able to turn up anything, not even the most basic systems respond to anyone," Carter responded.
"Is there a reason Sheppard stayed on the ship?" Lorne asked Carter.
"He was hoping that the AI would come back online and talk to him."
"Do we know why the AI went offline in the first place?"
"Sheppard thinks that Rodney may have scared the AI."
"Really an AI got spooked on its own ship," he said humorously raising his head and looking at Colonel Carter.
"I share your doubt Major but so far it hasn't shown any hostile intentions."
"Where should we put the ship?"
"Well we can't put it on Atlantis, how about the mainland?"
"Sounds good to me, although I'm sure some of the scientists will still complain."
"Major can you scout out a landing site?"
"Yes Colonel," he grumbled.
"Is something wrong Major?" Colonel Carter asked concerned about his recent behavior.
"Just a little tired I haven't been sleeping well recently."
"Your scheduled for a mission tomorrow will you be good for it major?"
"Yes although I would appreciate some time off after that."
"Well Major Lorne I'll assign someone else to fly the recon mission and your team is being taken off of missions for a few days after you get back tomorrow," she said.
"Thank you Colonel."
Earlier just after the scientists left on the ship
Colonel Sheppard saw the last of the scientists through the airlock. We are really going to need a better way of getting on and off this ship it can't be a good idea to have the scientists going back and forth on space walks every time they want to get on or off the ship.
"Hello again Colonel Sheppard," the AI said.
"Hello, why did you turn off before?"
"I did not wish to the others to gain access to the ships systems, or answer Doctor McKay's questions."
"Then why did you not turn off when the first entered the ship."
"I did not notice them."
"What were you doing that had you so busy?"
"This ship has been dormant for thousands of years I needed to get it operational and absorb all the data I could."
"Where were you getting data from?"
"Atlantis among other sources."
"And I'm guessing me."
"No I am unable to enter into your memories my creator thought those much too private to allow me access to."
"Well what did you learn about us?"
"Your people are a violent one although I should not judge you."
"Yes well it is difficult to make peace with aliens who feed on you."
"No amongst yourselves you have fought many wars."
"Well we might not be the best but we certainly aren't as bad as the wraith, and why shouldn't you be one to judge."
"My creator did many horrible things and I was built with some very powerful weapons which I have used far too frequently for mine or anyone else's taste," he said sadly remorse evident on both his image and voice.
"So are you going to fight the wraith?" Sheppard asked hopefully.
"No."
"Why you said you have very powerful weapons."
"So many have died and I should not act on my own without the consent of the people or my creator."
"Then what are you going to do?" Sheppard said disappointed that he wouldn't get to see the ship in action against the wraith.
"Nothing I must wait until my creator returns, even if the people were to approve of my actions I would not act without my creator nearby."
"Well why don't you find him?"
"I cannot he is beyond my reach," Sadness creeping into his voice.
"What does that mean?"
"I am sorry that information is classified."
"Ok now what was I asking you before McKay rudely interrupted me."
"You wanted to know where was the non ascended being that has clearance, the answer is that while it is in this universe the being is within the reach of only one."
"And I'm guessing the identity of the one is classified?"
"Correct even I do not know where or who that person is although I would recognize her."
"It's a her is it?" Sheppard jokingly asked.
"Correct."
"Is there anywhere I can sleep on the ship?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes there is one bedroom here, "the AI said as a map with a flashing beacon appeared.
"Thanks if it's ok I'm going to go to sleep now."
"Do you wish for breakfast when you wake up?"
"You can do that?" He asked, totally and completely shocked, how could a 10,000 year old ship be offering him breakfast?
"Yes this ship has many different functions ranging from food to weapons to hyperspace windows."
"Well breakfast sounds nice for now." He said adding the last part with a slight smile.
"I will have one sent to you."
He thanked the AI and headed to his room where he laid down on the bed and quickly fell asleep thinking about how nice this AI was and if he should actually consider staying on the ship for an extended period of time.
Several Weeks later
As Sheppard sat in the chair with the few remaining scientists around him he considered his options. His first choice was to land the ship on Atlantis and put in to have his quarters reassigned since he was the only one whom the ship seemed to react to and they would learn more about the ship through his continued interaction with it. On the other hand he could request to transfer to the ship permanently there was a great deal of research to be done and he was actually enjoying this ship it had some amenities that were quite nice like the butler like AI, the ability to gloat over Rodney's incapability at controlling anything in the ship was also a huge bonus. He was quite glad when the AI had allowed Sheppard to control the ship while other people were onboard it annoyed Rodney to no end.
"So what are you going to do?" he heard in his head the first time the AI had talked to him in his mind it scared him, now he was quite used to it although he only used it when others were on the ship and he didn't want them to hear what he was saying. He was still unsure if the AI could see into his memory despite the AI's assurances that it could not which made him more than a little uneasy. He finally thought "I have not decided."
"Well you do not have much time."
Changing the subject he went onto his daily work, "So what room am I heading to today."
"What would be the point if I told you what was in the rooms?" the AI teased.
"Good point old man," he liked his nickname for the AI more than his proper name Ancient sounded so impersonal and well weird who names a ship ancient anyway.
"I have told you my name is ancient."
"And I'm calling you old man," he said before getting up from the chair and heading down a hallway.
When he arrived he entered the room and began his now daily routine of flipping on all the switches and testing out what the consoles did. He knew that he was in no danger because the AI would prevent him from destroying anything that was really dangerous. He was there for half an hour, making very little progress, before Rodney came in to tell him that the final scientists were disembarking.
"Are you sure you won't come back to Atlantis?" Rodney asked.
"Yes Rodney I'm staying for a little longer, I'll be back for the briefing it's in a couple hours right?" he said without turning around and continuing to navigate the screens that were in front of him.
"Yeah Sheppard and we have a mission the day after that are you going to be ready for that?"
"Yes Rodney now can I get back to my work," he said now starting to get annoyed her turned around and faced Rodney.
"Yes, wow you're really into this aren't you?"
"Yes Rodney."
"No I mean you're totally absorbed by this stuff it's so not like you," Rodney said.
"Something for you to think about when you get back," Sheppard countered.
"Goodbye Sheppard," Rodney said solemnly suddenly feeling as if he was abandoning his friend.
"I'll be fine Rodney and I'll see you in a few hours," he said lightheartedly attempting to lighten the mood and failing at it. Rodney left without saying another word to his friend.
"Ready Doctor?" the pilot asked him.
"Yes let's head home." Rodney said slumping down into the copilot seat and closing his eyes trying to relax after several days of grueling research.
"Colonel Sheppard." the AI said.
"Yes Ancient," Sheppard said walking down one of the ships many corridors.
"What have you decided." the AI asked.
"I will stay this ship has much to offer me."
"Good, please head to the medical lab I need to run some tests."
"Ok will this take long because I have to go to Atlantis soon?"
"A few minutes and am I to land on Atlantis?" it asked appearing nearby.
"No they still don't trust you," he informed the AI.
"I understand." A frown appeared on Ancients face however it was soon replaced with a sly smile. "However I am wondering if you will be returning with anyone?"
"Not that I know of although it is possible that Colonel Carter will have someone to accompany me."
"Understood would this be a certain female?" the AI said smugness evident in his voice and his smile.
"I doubt that," he said the thought of the AI looking into his memories thrust into the forefront of his mind again.
"I am in your mind Colonel Sheppard I am aware of certain," Ancient started before being cut off by Sheppard.
"Ok can you stop that?" Sheppard interrupted uncomfortable with the subject.
"It is how I function, that is something you're also aware of."
"What parts of my mind do you have access to?"
"Just your current thought patterns and some of your more passionate emotions."
"That explains a few things," he whispered to himself forgetting the AI heard everything on the ship.
"Like what?"
"Why you knew some things but you seem to be quite wrong about other things."
"Such as."
"Things that would require access to my memories."
"What things have I said that are so incorrect with what you think to be true?"
"It doesn't matter, so what tests are you going to run he said entering the Medical bay."
"Genetics, blood tests, brain activity."
"Genetic testing?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Classified."
"The reason for the testing is classified?" Sheppard said becoming nervous at what the AI would do with the test results and why they were even needed in the first place.
The AI furrowed its brow in concentration for a moment before answering, "No just the genetic testing."
"Anyway can you not do it?" Sheppard asked despite the remote chance that the AI would say yes.
"It is required."
"Fine just do it than," he said sitting down on a bed.
After a few minutes he saw the AI appear on a little podium near the office, "Am I done?" he asked it.
"You are done you may go to Atlantis now," the AI said in his head.
"You know I don't like you being in my head when it's not necessary."
"Yes I am sorry it is a habit I picked up with the former commander of this ship."
"So you've told me do I look like him or something?" Sheppard thought.
"Yes and I served with him for many years."
"How long?"
"Several million years."
"He lived that long?"
"Yes he did."
"Is this the one that is still alive?"
"Yes, now you must leave immediately if you are to make your meeting and I highly doubt Colonel Carter will look favorably upon tardiness."
"Goodbye old man,"he said getting up from the bed and heading towards the exit. After exiting the ship he looked around for a jumper and spotted one by the forest he walked over got in one started it up and started flying home. On his way back he reflected on the past few weeks. I can't believe I never left that ship. At least the bed is comfortable. They'll probably be surprised by some of the things I've learned about the ship. What will they be most surprised with? The Weapons? Shields? Hull? Probably the weapons Rodney can't find where the ships weapons are located but when they find out what the ships weapons are capable of I think they will be impressed hopefully it will be enough to get my request approved. I wonder how much resistance I'll get. It's going to be a big change no more gate travel or anything but hey imagine what I can do we can pick teams up no matter where they are 8 minutes to get anywhere in this galaxy. How long to earth? If only it was bigger than we would be able to carry people between galaxies. But if those weapons he told me about really are really that good than we won't have to worry about the wraith or anyone else.
He continued to fly towards Atlantis however after a few minutes his thoughts drifted once again this time to Teyla. I wonder how Teyla's doing, could that have been who the AI was talking about? He said he could sense my more passionate emotions are my feelings about Teyla really that obvious? Is he even talking about her or something else entirely? Could he be lying? Does it matter? So many questions and so few answers he refocused his attention on flying the puddle jumper towards Atlantis. It was still as easy as ever as the jumper did what he thought similar to the ship but not quite as smooth. The ship seemed to know what you wanted before you even asked for it although the mind conversations were pretty weird. After he brought the jumper in for a landing he headed to the medical lab.
When he arrived in the medical bay he sat down and did as the doctor ordered his thoughts drifted again as he sat there waiting for the doctors to pronounce him safe. No it doesn't she's with someone else not me and she probably never wanted me. But I'll never know now will I. but I shouldn't hold it against her it's my own fault for not doing anything about it, that's my problem not hers. The least I can do is being there for her and the kid. What it's going to happen if we can't find the father and something happens to her? Would the rest of Atlantis take care of the kid or would she want someone specific to take him back to earth and look after him? Maybe I should offer to take her onto the ship she hasn't seen it and she is probably really bored Ronon went off world with other teams and Rodney and I were always on the ship during the last few weeks. Although I'll have to find somewhere to sleep. He thought ignoring the part of his mind saying with her with her with her.
End Chapter 3
Author's Note- All reviews are appreciated especially critical ones.