Author's Note- My school had an awesome victory today so I decided to edit this chapter and post it hope you enjoy.
Chapter 4
"Ok now that everyone is here," she said looking up at Sheppard who was late to the briefing, "you may proceed with your briefing Rodney."
"Ok now then, we believe that we have determined the location of several Ancient ships," he said looking at Colonel Carter as the screen lit up behind him. "Using the sensor array we believe that there are Ships orbiting these planets," he said as four or five planets lit up on the screen. Continuing with his briefing he looked at Sheppard, "we will be going to this planet because there are no wraith ships in the area and the wraith haven't visited the planet in some time. We have also noticed slight variants in the sensor readings which we believe indicates different classes so we are hoping that this ship will be superior to the Aurora class."
"When are we scheduled to leave?" Sheppard asked looking unconcerned scribbling something on the briefing papers.
"A few hours," Rodney answered.
"Colonel Sheppard you have spent a great deal of time on the ship and are still the only one who can operate it, do you think it's worth it to continue the research?" Colonel Carter asked attempting to draw his attention to the briefing.
"Yes," Sheppard said quickly and forcefully.
"How should we proceed if only you can activate the ship?"
"I'd like to request a transfer to the ship," Sheppard announced still scribbling on the papers.
They all looked at him some with their mouths open shocked at his statement, "WHAT!?" Rodney asked unable to contain himself like the others.
"I'd like to transfer to the ship permanently."
"Colonel Sheppard with all due respect are you feeling ok?" Major Lorne asked him as the others eyed him looking to see if he looked alright.
"Yes I'm fine but that ship is worth a lot even gate travel," Sheppard said slightly annoyed at the insinuation that he was unwell either physically or mentally.
"But it doesn't do anything?" Rodney asked confused.
"Yes it does and if we figure out how to properly use this ship than I'm confident we would be able to defeat the wraith."
"With what the ship doesn't have weapons?" Major Lorne challenged.
Sheppard leaned forward realizing that they were going to make him prove that the ship was important, "Well according to the AI the ship has weapons capable of destroying entire planets."
"Can we trust this AI?" Sam asked the room.
Most of the scientists responded with a no Rodney more adamantly than most, and Sheppard dissented with a yes.
"Colonel Sheppard are you sure you don't want to take some time and reconsider your decision?" Carter asked.
"No, I'm sure this is what I want the ship is definitely worth it."
"I understand I'm placing you on temporary assignment," She said hoping that he wouldn't press her for a more permanent switch.
"I'd like to make it permanent."
"In a few months if you still want to stay on the ship than I'll consider making it permanent," She compromised.
"Ok, see you again in a few months," he said happily turning his attention back to his papers.
"So what have you learned from the ship in your time there?" she asked turning to Rodney and continuing with the briefing.
"The ship is very old but in perfect condition somehow with the exception of how the hull looks."
"How did it look?"
"It was overgrown with plant life when we found it hopefully the ship will clean itself soon I'd hate to be stuck washing the ship," Sheppard said momentarily looking up from the briefing papers.
"Anyway I have no idea what powers the ship or who built it," Rodney continued ignoring Sheppard.
"The AI told me that the builder of the ship was called Ancient," Sheppard told Carter turning his attention once more to briefing papers and drawing something on them again.
"The Ancient's built it?"Rodney asked
"No, the Ancients called the builder Ancient." Sheppard corrected.
"There's an even older race of humans in the universe?" Carter asked leaning forward.
"Apparently, but he won't divulge anything about his creator though."
"Is it a race or person?"
"Single person I think."
McKay continued with his debriefing, "We were able to determine that the ship has highly advanced sensors and shielding, the hull is made of an unknown element, and finally the AI is something that even Ancient ships don't appear to have." Rodney continued on for the next 40 minutes uninterrupted when he finally wrapped up the briefing Sheppard was on the verge of falling asleep and Ronon was asleep.
"Thank you Rodney, Major Lorne since Colonel Sheppard is transferring to the ship you will be taking over his position in the interim."
"Understood Colonel," he said nodding and straightening his papers.
"Rodney, Ronon your mission is being postponed for a few days until another replacement is added to your team," Major Lorne told the pair as Colonel Sheppard nudged Ronon awake and Rodney took a seat next to Carter.
"'Dismissed except you," Colonel Carter said indicating she meant Sheppard. They all filed out of the room while Colonel Sheppard stood up and stretched.
"Colonel I was wondering why you suddenly chose to stop going through the gate?"
"It's the ship Colonel Carter it's very important if I can learn to control it then we can really give the wraith a hard time" he could tell she didn't buy it but what else was he going to say?
"Colonel I'd just like to make sure that you're not doing this to avoid replacing Teyla."
"I'm not," he said defensively.
"Then there's one more thing I'd like to ask you."
"What's that?"
"Well Teyla has seemed pretty bored around here and I'd like you to take her with you."
"Ok I'll ask her," he said as he turned and left for Teyla's quarters smiling that he had didn't need Colonel Carter's permission to bring Teyla.
He waited outside her quarters activating the door chime twice. When he tried a third time however when she still didn't answer he decided that she might not have been in or she didn't want to talk to him. So he turned to leave when the door opened.
"Colonel Sheppard," Teyla greeted him and motioned for him to enter.
"I'm off duty you can call me John," he said.
"Of course John, have you made a decision regarding me rejoining the team?" she said as she sat on the bed and indicated that Colonel Sheppard could do the same however he remained standing wanting to keep a comfortable distance between themselves.
"It's not up to me anymore," he informed her looking down and digging his hands into his pockets.
"Then who?" she asked confused.
"Whoever is running the team probably Major Lorne," he said raising his head to stare into her eyes.
"Why will you not be running the team, have you been promoted?" she asked surprised that he would leave his team and figuring that the only possible reason being that he was being sent back to Earth or that he was promoted out of the field. But would he not have told her if he was going to be forced to leave. Could he be getting back at me for not telling him I was pregnant? Why would he do such a thing? Perhaps there is another reason why but what?
Noticing that her brow remained furrowed John hurriedly explained, "No I transferred to the ship that we recovered."
"Why," she said shock evident on her face.
"It's important and I was wondering if you would like to uh… well join me on the ship?" he said pausing before continuing, "you seemed pretty bored and I thought you might like a distraction," he said very quickly trying to explain himself.
"If Doctor Keller thinks it will be ok I will join you" she said a little uncomfortably and giving him a meek smile.
"Great I'll tell Carter," he said before leaving her quarters.
"John," she said as he entered the hallway.
He spun around, "yes Teyla."
"Thank you," she said, he gave her a sly smile and left.
End Chapter 4
Author's Note- All reviews are appreciated especially critical ones.