I'm back finally after a summer filled with people over every weekend building art show panels for World Con I'm back finally after a summer filled with people over every weekend building art show panels for World Con. It took several weeks afterward and a long holiday to recuperate. I read through this one today and am now back to continue the story.

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Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 9

Lee stared at the pile of papers on his cramped desk in the corner of his quarters. There were requests for help in searching for missing relatives who might be somewhere in the fleet, reports on food supplies and water, statistics on the dead, several birth announcements, and an invitation from his father to attend a party honoring their new Earth guest.

With a sigh he got up and stretched. His clothes were rumpled since he'd slept in them and he hadn't changed since he gotten up. There simply hadn't seemed to be a point. Since his divorce, the only time he cared about what he looked like was when he stepped outside his quarters.

"And you are oh, so dashing."

"What?" He turned to face the woman who stood just inside his doorway.

With a sweet smile the red headed Earth woman glided over to him. Lightly her cool fingers touched his unshaven cheek. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "So tasty."

He shook himself and stepped back. "I thought President Roslin had assigned a security detachment to you."

Her voice dropped. "They're easy to lose."

"Colonial One isn't that big."

"Doesn't need to be." Her hands slipped over his shirt. "Why don't you take this off?"

For some reason his hands and fingers obeyed her wishes. The soiled garment dropped to the floor.

"Much better." Jessica guided him to his bunk and pushed him back. "Just relax."

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The Deadalus dropped out of hyperspace over the planet. Dr. Jackson turned from his place by the huge front windows as Caldwell ordered. "Inform Colonial Carter we've arrived."

Placing his hand over his mouth to hide his smile, Daniel tried to concentrate on the water-covered planet below. He had no doubt Atlantis already knew they were in orbit.

"What are you smirking about?" Vala twisted a bit of her black hair around her finger. She looked bored but he hadn't missed the gleam of excitement in her eyes.

"Nothing."

"Uh, huh."

Senator Collins joined them his hand firmly holding his silver headed cane. "I've read so much about Atlantis, it will be exciting to actually see the city."

"I've been there before," Daniel replied.

"Ah, yes. Something about finding Merlin's weapon."

"If we hadn't," the archeologist said. "We would never have defeated the Ori."

"My Daniel is brilliant." Vala tucked her arm around her husband's and beamed a proud grin at the senator.

"I've read about his missions for years, dear lady." Barnabas bowed. "I wouldn't dispute your observation."

"Good." She tossed a half-suspicious look at the politician. Vala had taken to following Collins around whenever he'd been out of his quarters and Daniel and tried to stop her. She kept insisting something was wrong with the man.

Colonial Caldwell announced. "We'll be landing on the East Pier."

"I can't wait to see the city." Vala bounced on her toes like a small child reaching for a treat.

"Just be sure you stay out of trouble."

"Oh, Daniel," she pouted. "What possible trouble could I get into to?"

"You don't really want me to answer that do you?"

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"Hey, Rodney." John popped into the lab where McKay had ensconced himself for the day.

"Unless you're bringing me lunch, go away, I'm busy." The scientist punched a number of figures into his laptop.

"As a matter of fact," John dumped a sandwich and an apple on the table. "I even brought you a cup of coffee." He set the still hot beverage next to the food.

Slowly McKay raised his head and gave Sheppard a disbelieving look. "You didn't."

"I did." John pointed at the offering. "See for yourself."

"You want something." Rodney carefully put his computer aside and grabbed the sandwich. Hungrily he took a bite.

"Nah." Pulling up a chair the soldier sat down. "I just wanted to give you the heads up on that colony we heard about."

"I knew it." Pushing his half eaten sandwich aside, he inquired, "So what do they want us to do?"

Sheppard shrugged. "There's nothing for us to do. The colony was destroyed."

"What? But Katie," the other man stopped himself.

"Dr. Brown wasn't there. Some senator got her pulled at the last minute."

A relieved expression flashed over McKay's face. "Well, that's good."

"Yeah." He reached for the coffee.

"I thought you brought that for me?"

"Oops. Sorry." John flashed his friend and teammate an apologetic grin.

"They know who destroyed it?" Rodney picked up the sandwich again.

"Probably the Cylons. There were a lot of dead bodies."

"Glad I wasn't there."

"Me, too."

"Uh, any idea what Katie is doing now?"

John cocked his head. "No. I thought you two broke up."

"We did. You're the one who brought her up."

A voice sounded in Sheppard's ear. "Colonial, the Deadalus just landed."

"Copy that." He got up. "Deadalus just landed."

"Great." McKay gulped the rest of his sandwich and tucked the apple in his pocket. He grabbed the coffee and took a swig. "Always interrupting something."

With a laugh of agreement, John headed for the East Dock. Rodney trotted beside him and Ronon materialized from somewhere. The three arrived just in time to join Colonial Carter and Dr. Keller, who were already waiting for the ramp to open.

"Colonial Caldwell warmed me they have a VIP aboard." Sam straightened slightly.

"Any idea who?" Sheppard wanted to know.

"No idea."

The ramp lowered and several figures walked out. He noticed Sam start and realized why. "Is that?"

Slowly she nodded. "It is." She stepped forward and offered her hand. "Welcome to Atlantis, Senator Collins."

"A great pleasure to be here, Colonial." He shook her hand. "And you must be John Sheppard."

"Sir." He gave the man a slight incline of his chin. "May I present the members of my team, Dr. Rodney McKay and Ronon Dex."

"Gentleman."

"Nice to see you again, Senator," Dr. Keller greeted.

"And you." He gave their doctor a smile. "I trust your assignment here is all you'd hoped it would be."

"It is."

"Excellent." The politician returned his full attention back to Carter. "Now, after reading the mission reports, I would very much like to see this wonderful city."

"Of course." Carter motioned toward the towers. "After you."

"In a moment." He firmly planted his cane in front of him. "Your request to leave though understandable, and my congratulations on your marriage, put the IOA into a quandary."

The dark haired woman with Dr. Jackson snorted and John saw the quelling look Daniel sent her way.

"It is fortunate I still wield a great deal of influence with them and managed to gain their approval for a suitable replacement."

Sam nodded. "We had wondered about that."

Sheppard noted her sudden tension.

"It's okay, Sam," Daniel spoke up.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense." McKay as usual, wasn't tactful.

Collins gave them an understanding smile. "Forgive my roundabout way of introducing your new leader. Too many years in the senate I'm afraid."

John shifted uneasily. Why did he have the sudden terrible feeling that their guess about their new leader had been correct?

"Oh, get on with it." The woman with Jackson rolled her eyes.

"Vala," Dr. Jackson warned.

"He's taking too long."

Daniel opened his mouth but stopped.

"It's quite alright, Dr. Jackson," Barnabas smiled. "I understand."

"You can all relax," the archeologist said. "I'm your new leader."