CHAPTER 136
EPISODE…..GHOST IN THE MACHINE
The fiasco that happened with the I.O.A., or as it really was, a bad I.O.A. agent determined to make anyone see his way, which included doing whatever it took to get what he wanted, which in turn ended rather badly for him, by the end of the crap he pulled on the Carter's, happened a couple weeks back. The Carter's knew that Atlantis wasn't to blame, even though many were sorry that it happened and even though it was over, many were still appalled at the actions the I.O.A. man pulled. Woolsey gave Sheppards team a few days to recover, more emotionally than physically before having them go back to work again. Even though Woolsey was once I.O.A., he was appalled at the stunt pulled.
Sheppards team were coming back from a world that, other than having some creature that looked like flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz and very dangerous, had the potential of being a good Alpha site. As they were heading back to Atlantis through a Spacegate, power problems occurred in the Puddle Jumper which caused the system to completely shut down and make them hit the gate. They went flying off out of control as Ancient thrusters attached to the gate activated to make sure the gate stayed in orbit and stable. As they started to fall towards the planet, the ship came back to life and Sheppard was able to turn the ship around and get through the gate before any more troubles came up.
The Jumper was isolated and checked out while the others were also checked in case it was something that was wrong with the Jumpers but had yet to effect the others. Nothing was found however and the Jumper was in perfect condition despite the burn outs and flash lightening burst that happened in the Jumper before they got back to Atlantis. Seeing as they couldn't find any problems, other teams were checking on things while everyone else basically went back to work normally.
The first problem that occurred about an hour after they got back was when Woolsey was heading for some place in the city and ended up at the top of one of the towers on one of the piers instead of where he wanted to be after using the transporter. He was only lucky that it was a sunny day instead of rainy because he was trapped outside when the door to the transporter closed and left him there alone and without communications. The rest of the problems continued when major power disruptions continued all over the city and more outbreaks of flash lightening burst or as Rodney called them, displacement currents, coming from pretty much anywhere and striking just about anything began happening more often. By nighttime, Radek and Rodney, along with a few other people, didn't have a clue of what was going on truly or why it was happening or how to stop it. The only thing they knew was it came from the Jumper even though Rodney isolated it from the network and the rest of the city systems. When Woolsey came in, tired and worn from walking all the way from the east pier where he got stuck and hearing they were no closer to finding out what was happening or how to stop it, he picked up the cell phone, especially after the city totally shut down of all power.
It was still dark when the T.A.R.D.I.S. arrived in the same spot as always, by the windows to the balcony near the command center. Other than a few flashlights, the light on top of the T.A.R.D.I.S. was the only thing shining brightly when they landed.
"I thought it strange when we got almost no readings of energy." Ford said stepping out in a grayish silver suit and falling down the stairs.
"What the hell happened?" Carter asked after stepping out next, in black jeans with a red T-shirt and jean jacket.
"We don't know yet." Sheppard said as he held up his hand to block the bright blue beam in his face as Ford walked back up the stairs.
"Sorry." Ford said lowering his flashlight.
"I was about to run a diagnostic program…" Rodney began. "But everything shut down. This could very well jump into your ship, did you think about that?"
"Last virus that tried to enter the T.A.R.D.I.S. was purged within five seconds." Carter stated. "And it was alien in origin. Though we're not really sure who was behind it nor any real idea of what universe we were in either."
"We can talk and ask all the questions we want plus do catching up later. Right now, we need to get teams together to spread out in the city and calm people down. We have no idea how long this is going to last…." Woolsey began.
"Wait, you said almost no energy…" Rodney asked.
"Emergency back ups to keep the city afloat in case all other power is lost. Last a few hours at most last time I checked." Ford said.
"Then we have that long for you two to help us…" Woolsey began.
"Sir, everyone…" a guy nearby said as he pointed at a screen shining at him.
"That's strange. This laptop just booted up." Rodney said looking at it.
"This is your laptop McKay." Sheppard said.
"Interesting." Woolsey said.
"I'm in the dark here like everyone else! Do you think I find this fun?" Rodney exclaimed.
"We know he's not a practical joker." Ford said as he and Sam also looked at the screen.
"Yeah, Rodney has more fear than jokes in him." Sheppard said.
"Funny Sheppard." Rodney said sarcastically. "Next time you go take a shower, maybe it will be ice cold or spray something other than water…."
"Yeah, yeah..." Sheppard said rolling his eyes.
"Hey, it's doing something." Carter said.
The group watched as words, or scrambled letters appeared at the top of the black screen and continued to move around until they formed words they could understand.
"Maybe a code?" Sheppard asked.
"Could be a message." Radek said.
"Might be an alien intelligence trying to contact us and their signals are so powerful that they knocked out power." Ford said.
"That was in a movie." Carter said.
"Never know in this universe." Ford said. "You did get taken over by some electronic life form…"
"Don't remind me." Carter said smacking his arm.
"Possible, considering I also read about that event. Hey, the word, help, just showed up." Rodney said with interest. "Give me a moment."
He typed in, who are you? Two scrambled words appeared under his questions and continued to move around until a name came up.
"Elizabeth Weir?" Woolsey, Rodney, Sheppard, Radek and both Carter's said aloud.
"She's dead though." Woolsey stated.
"We were only told that." Sheppard said.
"She was, if still alive at the time, on that planet when we blew it up. There is no way she could survive that. All the Replicator parts came together. There was no traces of any other Replicators free within the sector." Carter stated.
Ford was thinking intently as he rubbed his chin.
"I got a really strange letter or message I should say, from myself in the future. I can't really go into what it said, but I now understand what it all meant and what I have to do later." Ford said.
"Huh? Which message…oh, that message." Carter said as she noticed the look on his face. "At least I didn't have to do that hand in the head thing again."
"Same here." Ford muttered.
"What are you two talking about?" Woolsey asked.
"Replicators. I had one made of me once, after the SGC Replicator Carter incident. Woolsey can give you the report or tell you all later. Interestingly enough, he still exist even though we thought he was dead." Ford said.
"Are you keeping vital information from us?" Woolsey asked.
"No offense Woolsey, but we have a lot of information you and the I.O.A. might want to know about. Some of it we've told the SGC, a lot more we've kept to ourselves." Ford said.
"You have any idea…." Woolsey began.
"Richard, we don't work for anyone but ourselves anymore. No obligations but our own. We are here out of respect, courtesy and duty if you want to call it that. Last time we were threatened, beyond the incident before when we were here, we left that General with a broken nose I gave him." Carter stated. "We retired and answer only to ourselves, for the most part."
"We respect you as the command of this city and a great many people here and will follow orders until you do something you shouldn't. You can tell the I.O.A. and anyone else that we were here once this is over. But you need to remember, we aren't the bad guys here. Just because we don't give technology to certain people because we know they'll use it for the wrong purposes despite the people that may back them, including the President, doesn't mean we are going to use it against Earth or her allies." Ford said.
"We found some things that, if certain people in the military got hold of, could use it to do serious damage to Earth, and it would be by accident because they wouldn't know what they are doing." Carter said.
"It's not that we don't give it on purpose to horde to ourselves, it is to keep others from using it for the wrong purposes. Some people know about what we have and the danger it is, while some stuff is off limits to everyone but me." Ford said. "And that is only because if something goes wrong with it, I will survive."
"That device we used to defeat the Ori is a good example." Carter said.
"I for one, am glad they are on our side." Sheppard said.
"Same here." Rodney said.
"I understand." Woolsey said. "You have my gratitude for all your help and your time. I am sorry I doubted your trust. You both do have all our and Earth's best interest in mind."
"She's asking what is taking so long to respond?" Radek said.
"You talk to her Rodney, if it is her. It's your computer so, she may have realized that when she got into it. If it's her." Sheppard said skeptically.
"What should I say?" Rodney asked unsure.
"Ask her where she is." Woolsey said.
Rodney did so and the response was, computer.
"How can she be in the computer?" Woolsey asked getting several shrugs from the others as they were clueless.
Rodney typed in asking her what happened and the response was subspace and that she had difficulty controlling the computer. Power came back on everywhere in the city surprising them. Rodney asked if she did that and she only responded with help me again before the letters and words became a jumbled mess.
"Ideas?" Woolsey asked.
"I'd say hook her into the T.A.R.D.I.S., but I think that, if this is Weir, she would be deleted very quickly." Ford said while rubbing his chin.
"Damn sure we know she wouldn't be able to take her over." Carter said.
An hour later, helping Rodney with an idea he had after doing a quick diagnostic on the cities systems and a few other scans, several computers were set up in a lab along with several high capacity hard drives. Since they weren't sure if it really was Weir and calling it an entity to keep from having personal attachment, they found the entity was imbedded in the cities systems, everywhere. It was so complex and spread out that it was causing massive complications and malfunctions with the cities systems. With the plan in place and about ready to be activated, the three managed to get the cities systems to transfer the entities program into the computers in the lab to keep the city safe and be purged of the problem. Woolsey felt the plan was potentially dangerous since it would bring the entity together, but the three agreed that having the entity spread out in the cities systems was even more dangerous and could cause irreparable damage or worse if it stayed where it was. Both Carter's along with Woolsey and Sheppards team were in the room waiting for Rodney to put the finishing touches to hopefully make it possible to talk to the entity instead of typing to it.
"And, that should do it." Rodney said finishing. "Elizabeth?"
"Rodney?" a very distorted voice said.
"Hang on, I should be able to make a few quick…" Ford said while running his Sonic Screwdriver over the laptop.
Rodney looked up as his screen changed to go through a few quick files and lots of lines of programming.
"What the hell…" Rodney began.
"That should do it. Doctor Weir, is that really you?" Ford asked putting his Sonic Screwdriver away.
"Warn a guy next time." Rodney stated.
"Sorry." Ford said.
"Ford Carter?" a voice that sounded exactly like Weirs said.
"Yeah, it's me. Wow, I didn't think that would work." Ford said.
"I think it worked too well." Sheppard said.
"John, you are there. It's really good to hear your voice again." Weir said.
"Um, likewise." Sheppard said unsure. "We all heard you were, um, dead."
"I suppose I am. My physical body is anyway." Weir said. "My consciousness is still intact though. Who's all there besides Rodney, you and Ford?"
"Sam, Ronan and Teyla, along with Woolsey." Sheppard said.
"Sam? Oh, Colonel Carter." Weir said with an air of surprise.
"We both retired so it's just Sam now." Carter said while not correcting Weir of her former rank.
"I see. I often wondered if you two would quit at some point to follow a more family life. Why are you here then?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Power problems. Woolsey called us when the city shut down and no one could figure out what was wrong." Carter said.
"Strange to hear, considering the distance to get to Atlantis. I am truly sorry. It was not my intention to make the city and everyone in it be in trouble because of what I did. I had no where else to turn to for help." Weir said.
"Sounds sincere enough for me." Ford said getting a look from Woolsey that he ignored. "We'll help the best we can. Not really sure what we can do yet."
"You have my thanks. Wait, if the city was shut down, that means the gate was as well. How did you get here?" Weir asked.
"Long story. We may or may not tell you, depending on how this turns out." Sheppard stated quickly.
"Fair enough. I know you don't trust me or even believe I am Elizabeth Weir." Weir said.
"Right. So, can you tell us what happened?" Sheppard asked. "Something that might give us proof of you being who you say?"
"I can try. Do you remember the last order I gave you before you left?" Weir asked.
"Yeah, I remember." Sheppard said slowly. "Not one I particularly like remembering either."
"I told you to go and leave me behind. I knew you didn't want to because you do everything you can to make sure no one is left behind, but it was the only way to allow you to escape and save Atlantis and everyone on it." Weir said.
The others noticed and had similar feelings of remorse at having the similar situation come up in their lives, besides Woolsey, as Sheppard winced at the memory.
"After you had all left, they took me to a lab and activated the nanites in my body, making them continue to replicate. I was then joined into the population. Despite my new form I still had my original consciousness. I was still there, still me. I tried to hide it but others noticed it very quickly. It was remnants of Niam's old group. I believe you encountered some of his handy work. The Replicated human version of us, me and your team specifically." Weir said.
"Oh, so you heard about that huh?" Sheppard said.
"Yes. But only after they were unfortunately killed." Weir said.
"The Replicated human version of you, she said you were destroyed." Rodney said.
"The leaders of the group wanted her to believe that. We were kept apart for security reasons." Weir said.
"This isn't getting us anywhere." Woolsey stated.
"You said you were in subspace, how?" Ford asked.
"We were on the run. Oberoth and the others were hunting us down for our heretical beliefs. It was only a matter of time until we would be captured and destroyed. Then, a miracle happened." Weir said.
"When we blew up the Replicator planet?" Carter said.
"Yes." Weir said. "Good job by the way."
"That was my idea." Rodney stated with a smug look.
"It was a group idea McKay. You wouldn't have gotten it done without our help." Carter stated.
"Now…" Rodney began.
"Don't make me call a time out and separate you two." Sheppard stated. "We might not be able to stun the General, but he's obviously staying out of this so we only need to stun you two if you go at it."
Carter was, only to Ford, irritated by Sheppard but showed a small smile as Rodney looked chastised.
"Because of your help in destroying them and the planet, we were able to go off to a planet in peace, far from the Wraith and any other people in this galaxy. We landed our ship on a secluded and uninhabited planet and began what we wished to accomplish." Weir said.
"You mean ascension?" Teyla asked.
"Yes Teyla." Weir said.
"I don't think that is possible with, um…no offense, non biological life forms." Ford said.
"Even the human body is a machine Ford, just not mechanical in nature. Replicators are, but on a level so small it's almost impossible to see." Weir said.
"But you're still a machine." Sheppard stated.
"Yes. But we were very sure we could gain ascension and researched into it greatly. I was once human and felt I would be able to help them get there. I lead them into medication for awhile and while it was difficult for them to understand about releasing their burdens, the attempt still failed."
"We could have told you it wouldn't work." Rodney said.
"Yes, but we did try. Koracen, who like many of us, got tired of trying meditation, felt that we should not deny our technological side but embrace it and find a technological means to ascend. Because ascension essentially means that the body of the person becomes pure energy, he was very sure that he had came up with a technological solution to our problem. Being uploaded into subspace was his answer, and at the time, it made sense. Unfortunately, it was not the next step and we've been stuck in subspace every since." Weir said.
"What is that like?" Teyla asked.
"There is constant motion. And a deafening noise that feels like the worst migraine ever that continues on and on without stop." Weir said.
"I've had some…." Rodney began.
"Yeah, very painful. Had one that lasted three days and I almost shot myself but ended up passing out when I hit myself in the head with the gun in the attempt because I missed. Pain so bad I kept puking. Long time ago before the SGC." Ford said.
"We attempted to find any way of getting back into our original bodies or at least into some physical form, but never came across anything. There is several technologically advanced people out there, much like Atlantis is, but they are keeping themselves very well hidden from the Wraith. We had hopes of a people we came across that seemed to be in the process of making what I am sure was Star Trek type vessels, but we could not do anything to get help." Weir said as Ford laughed.
"I really need to get to that planet sometime." Ford muttered.
"We even tried with Wraith tech, which was a very unpleasant experience. After all this time, we have not found anything to allow us to be physical again or close to getting out of the state we are in now." Weir stated.
"You came to us because we have the computers powerful enough to house your entire programming." Rodney stated.
"Yes. The others were getting increasing frustrated at getting no results, so I broke off with them and came looking for you. I just happen to recognize the Jumper when you were getting ready to go through the Spacegate. Having little choice because you were almost through and would have been unable to reach after you left, I entered the Jumper." Weir said.
"You nearly killed us in the process." Ronan stated.
"I am very sorry for that. In my current state, it is very difficult to control during the initial moments, especially when interfacing with new technology. I had no where else to turn. You are the only friends I have." Weir said.
"Good thing you didn't seek out the T.A.R.D.I.S. I think you would have been killed, or in this case, permanently deleted." Ford said. "We'll come up with something and then get back to you."
Later that night, they stood outside on the balcony talking.
"I think this is some sort of trap." Ronan stated. "It can't be her."
"It is, or at least I believe it is her." Ford said. "Especially since I got that strange note."
"She did mention Star Trek and there is a planet out there doing what you told them." Carter said. "Sadly, there is no gate to the planet that we know of and it is so far away, traveling by ship would take near a year."
"What if it is her? We could download her into a Replicator body like I did with Fran…" Rodney began.
"No!" Woolsey stated quickly. "That would be to dangerous and the risk is to great."
"Woolsey, I helped Rodney make Fran. Same body and set parameters, different personality." Ford stated.
"I think it would work. Better than having her inside the cities systems." Carter stated. "Even with all the fail safes, there is a possibility that she could still get out and screw up the city. If she was in a Replicator body, we can watch her much easier and, if need be, kill her much easier as well."
"Do you also believe this is actually Doctor Weir?" Woolsey asked.
"Yes." Carter stated.
"We can put the T.A.R.D.I.S. in the room and then make her a body. Then we can put her in our ship where she will not be able to do anything to harm anyone." Ford said.
"Are you really willing to risk…." Woolsey asked.
"Yes Richard, I am. If it wasn't for the fact I am retired, I'd order it." Ford said.
"We have a problem. The room with the Replicator creation system is registering a power increase. I believe she is making herself a body." Radek informed them as he came out onto the balcony.
"She must have saw the information while in the computers." Rodney stated.
"We'll head down there now." Ford said. "Don't go in guns blazing or with the anti-Replicator guns."
The group came upon the door finding a few guards nearby and the lights flickering in the corridors.
"The door is closed and locked sir. We haven't been able to get in at all." one of the guards said. "Nothing has came out either."
"The panel is fried. There is no way to get in from here…" Rodney stated while looking at it.
The group that had weapons raised them as the lights went back to normal and then the door opened. Ford and Carter were both there along with a woman that looked a lot like Fran.
"You can lower the weapons. She's no threat." Ford said waving his Sonic Screwdriver lightly as they walked in. "And K-9 can activate mine or Sam's remotely if she tries anything."
"McKay, shut down and deactivate that now." Woolsey ordered as he pointed at the table.
"The Elizabeth Weir I remember wouldn't have pulled or allowed such a risky thing like this." Sheppard stated.
"I agree with you John. But the risk to the city was much more worse than this. I know you don't trust me or even believe I am Weir nor do I have any real way of showing any proof. But I assure you, I am no threat. I made no adjustments to the programming in this body." Weir said.
"She's right. Everything for the Fran template is still in here." Rodney said as he looked at a tablet that was hooked to the machine. "I can activate the kill switch at any time."
"Is it shut down?" Woolsey asked.
"Yes and I pulled the control crystal as well along with pulling the plug so it cannot get power." Rodney said.
"According to this, she can't replicate at all in any form. Any damage she sustains cannot be healed until we reactivate her ability to do so. Nor can she interface with anything either." Ford said as he looked at the tablet he took from Rodney.
"And in case anyone is wondering, she can't do the hand in the head thing. The bonds between her nano-machines are just as tight as our own cells." Rodney stated.
"The only threat she poses is super strength." Carter said.
"If it helps, which if I were in charge still and one of you were in this situation, the information I placed in the computers about various technologies I encountered, along with Wraith tech, would be considered a good gesture of building trust." Weir said.
"Really? That's great." Rodney said while looking up the info.
"I know it may take some time, possibly years, but I want to gain your trust. Whatever you think best to help gain that I will concede to. Seeing as I do not need to eat or sleep, being confined to a room or the brig is acceptable." Weir said.
"We'll keep you in our ship for awhile until they feel it is safe, within a reasonable time frame." Ford said.
"A week, maybe more." Carter said. "Does that work for you Mr. Woolsey?"
"For the time being, yes. I assume you won't be going back to the X-wing anytime soon?" Woolsey asked.
"Actually, she's in orbit by now. We didn't want any problems to happen to her and left her just outside the system on stand by." Carter said.
"We'll have her land on the pier and then we'll go back to her. You can contact us at any time." Ford said.
"X-wing?" Weir asked as they went inside the T.A.R.D.I.S.
"Yeah, sort of a long story. It started with…" Carter said as the ship dematerialized.
The X-wing had already landed and was still on the pier with scans showing no change in any of her systems the next morning. Hearing everything was still fine from Carter, the Atlantis people went back to normal activities for the most part. The Carter family was still on the X-wing along with Weir and had not came back into the city since going to the ship. Though Rodney came over for a good hour to check her out further and get updates on what the two Carter's learned. At the moment, Rodney and Sheppard were in Woolsey's office talking.
"And you're absolutely sure she is completely safe?" Sheppard asked.
"All those scans and test say she is completely harmless. There is no radio signals or any other signals coming from her to anything or anyone. All information moving is in her body along with her energy. Like Sam said last night, she only has super strength. While I was looking over the different results, we talked and for awhile there, I totally forgot what she was and it felt like I was really talking to Elizabeth again. I'm pretty sure we could set something up in the city to keep watch on her until we eventually…" Rodney said.
"Are you serious? No matter what she says, she is still a Replicator and they are dangerous. They were the scourge of two galaxies and there has never been a good one." Woolsey stated as he left his chair.
"Fran was. As was, or is actually, a version of Ford." Rodney stated with a raised finger.
"Those were different cases entirely." Woolsey said.
"Fran was because we built her. Ford was because he was copied and from what the real Ford said, everything about him was put into his copied version. This has to be Weir. It makes sense with the story she told and the other things we talked about." Rodney said.
"And if this is really just a trap to make us let our guard down? It could be Oberoth for all we know…" Woolsey stated.
"That's just beyond creepy." Sheppard said.
"I am quite sure it is her." Rodney stated. "I used the nanites to fix her and then it was because of her having the nanites that she ended up getting captured to save us. This is my fault and I should be the one to do what I can to fix it."
"It's too dangerous. We have no real way of determining if she is who she say she is and watching her constantly is not a burden this city needs. We'll have to come up with another plan." Woolsey stated.
"We could put her into that virtual reality machine like we thought of doing with that one lady." Sheppard suggested.
"The two did something last night they didn't really want anyone to know about, but I'm going to say anyway. The brain scan, or a better term, brain waves scanned are very similar to the Doctor Weir we knew." Rodney said.
"I don't understand. What brain waves? She doesn't have a brain technically." Woolsey said.
"I don't know how they did it, but it involved time travel and scanning her shortly before the weapon blast hit the tower which caused her injuries, and a scan after she was fixed by the nanites I put in her but before the mission. There is various differences in each scan, but for the most part they are the same. And they match with the ones done recently on this Weir." Rodney said.
"How close a match are we talking?" Sheppard asked.
"96%." Rodney stated.
"They did something else you're not telling us." Sheppard said.
Rodney squirmed slightly as he thought.
"What did they do McKay?" Woolsey asked. "If it has any chance of threat to this city or anyone…"
"They have their children on that ship and Weir was holding Avon. If that isn't trusting enough, I can't think of what is." Rodney stated.
"They could go back in time and save him from anything she could have done to him…" Sheppard began.
"No. Not when they are so close together and such. Time paradox issues and such make that idea almost impossible. All her mannerisms are the same, the facial movements, the eyes, her tone of voice." Rodney said.
"Easily replicated, pardon the pun. We know the Replicators can take all memories and information from a person and copy every detail…" Woolsey said.
"Yes, but this is different. Not only did they change her to looking like Weir, they also did some sort of memory test that involved taking her to specific moments in her life and having her go over what she did, was going to do and what she thought of." Rodney said.
"That doesn't prove anything." Sheppard stated. "It was all copied information to being with so…"
"I don't know how the medical system in the T.A.R.D.I.S. works, but everything pointed to her being Elizabeth. You don't want her here, fine, they said they'd take her with them and watch her if it came down to you wanting her terminated or something else." Rodney said.
"That's too dangerous and an even greater risk…." Woolsey began.
"I'm not telling them no. Besides, they had some plan for her anyway, which they didn't elaborate on." Rodney said quickly as Sheppard started to open his mouth.
"Great." Woolsey muttered with a sigh. "I need to contact them right away."
Carter was talking to Woolsey on the bridge of the X-wing via the screen as Teyla came over to talk to Elizabeth after hearing a few things from Rodney. She wasn't entirely sure if this was really Doctor Weir, but she felt the need to at least talk to her anyway. It startled her when she entered the commissary where Ford was telling Weir of some story about something that happened in another universe they ended up in and she saw Elizabeth instead of the Fran body.
"So, we are just walking along in this strange place that kinda looked like something from Willy Wonka's factory, the first movie, not the remake." Ford said as Weir nodded with a smile. "And this strange blue knobby plant explodes suddenly. Both of us where covered in blue goop that stunk like sulfur. Amy and Jacob were far enough away it didn't land on them or Sally, but all three where laughing at us. Avon was laughing because it was a happy moment but otherwise he didn't know what was going on."
Weir laughed as Ford did as well before continuing on.
"It took a hour long shower to even get clean and we couldn't do it in the T.A.R.D.I.S. because she closed the door on us. Thankfully we had the X-wing at the time. Whatever this stuff was, it wasn't coming out of our clothes so we left them on the planet. Both of us where totally naked out there, wearing only robes that we tossed after being beamed into the shower room. Sam was not happy at all, but I was laughing through most of it. Three days sleeping in another room wasn't fun." Ford said. "But the laugh was worth it."
"I'll bet. You ever find out what that stuff was?" Weir asked.
"Not a clue. We didn't even do much on the way of scanning it closely other than by the ships sensors. Best we could tell, it was some sort of defense mechanism for the plant. Not sure why and we didn't investigate further." Ford said. "I've smelled dead bodies that have smelled a lot better."
"Any contaminants?" Weir asked.
"No thankfully. We were lucky to get that stuff off us as quick as we did though. It harden to the point a laser was needed to even crack or cut the stuff, which took near a hour to set in thankfully. I'm just glad I was not wearing my heavy coat at the time." Ford said with a relieved look.
"Besides that incident, it seems your family had fun otherwise." Weir said.
"It was incredible. The sunset provided us with a nice view of the ring around the planet. There was no moon and the nearest planet was where Jupiter is if that planet was Earth. There was two other gas planets but they were pretty far out. We didn't stay long after the goop problem though. Oh wait, we got pictures or a video stream of it actually." Ford said. "I watch it sometimes for the laughs."
He got up with her and went to a screen nearby, leaving his pasta and cake on the table. A few buttons later, the large plasma turned on showing a view of a grassland like setting with nothing around except in the far distance and two people walking up to the ship covered in blue. Laughing was heard off screen and it showed Sam smacking Ford in the arm real hard, knocking him to the ground because he was laughing.
"A good and bad memory." Ford said after laughing for a moment with Weir.
"I only wish I had been able to go off and see what it was like to visit strange places like you did with Sheppard and his team." Weir said with a sigh.
"We still can technically. I'm guessing Teyla is either here to tell us something or just to talk." Ford said turning around.
"Hello Teyla." Weir said now noticing her.
"Elizabeth. General." Teyla said nodding to them.
"Go ahead and sit down. You want anything?" Ford asked.
"A small bowl of the pasta and water would be nice." Teyla said smelling it more than seeing any.
"Coming right up." Ford said.
They sat down across from each other at the table where Ford's food still sat.
"I had forgotten he is a big eater." Teyla said seeing the amount of food on the plate.
"That's his second helping. Surprised me too." Weir said. "But then, hearing about his changes and new ships surprised me just the same. I only recently remembered them coming to our aid back then when we left the planet. How are you doing?"
"Very well. There have been difficult situations here and there, but I have managed to get through them." Teyla said.
"I heard you got your people back." Weir said.
"Yes. Not all of them I'm afraid, but enough the Athosians will not become part of history like several other cultures have unfortunately became." Teyla said.
"Yes, the Wraith and Replicators caused much damage. Had I been able to do something to help stop the Replicators attacking I would have." Weir said sincerely.
Teyla nodded as Ford came out and set down her bowl and the water.
"Hey Ford, can you come up here please? Woolsey wants to talk to you." Carter said over the ships com.
"Yeah, be right there." Ford said grabbing his plate and drink. "Excuse me ladies."
"The bridge is that way General." Teyla stated as he went back towards the kitchen.
"Knowing Sam, she'll want to eat off my plate. We may share food, but not utensils." Ford said.
"So, I have heard you have gotten married, or something like that." Weir said.
"Yes. Kanaan has the gift as I do and we ended up falling in love over time. We now have a son as well." Teyla said smiling fondly.
"Congratulations! I'm happy for you." Weir said with a bright smile that slowly went away. "I wanted to be a mother once, but now the chance is lost. Sam says it is extremely rewarding. Do you feel the same?"
"For the most part, yes." Teyla said with a knowing smile. "There are nights where it is taxing, but the benefits outweigh the negative aspects."
"Late night feedings?" Weir asked with a smile.
"That is one, besides the diaper changing." Teyla said.
"What is his name, if I can ask?" Weir asked.
"Torren John Emagen." Teyla said.
"I like it. Let's see, Torren for your father, John because of Colonel Sheppard." Weir said.
"Yes." Teyla said nodding.
"I can see why Kanaan is the father. When you talked of him or spoke of him as a friend, there was a certain tone change in your voice and a sparkle in your eye. I don't know if anyone else noticed the changes, but I saw it." Weir said as Teyla smiled. "I would like to see him if possible."
"He is off world with his father." Teyla said.
"Oh. Not surprising. Not many of your people liked the confined space of the city. Living in the open so often tends to make tight seclusion from seeing the sky difficult for some people. You overcame it very well though." Weir said.
"Yes. But I can go outside and see the sky at any time. But not seeing the forest and other natural life does make the homesick feeling of being with my people hard sometimes. Thankfully I can leave the city at any time to be with them." Teyla said.
"Unless a mission comes up." Weir said.
"Yes." Teyla said nodding.
"Sam told me she misses going off to our planets with her team mates as much as they still do, SG-1 specifically, but going to other universes and such with their new ship and Ford makes it worthwhile. She did also say they go with them on missions sometimes when Colonel Mitchell feels the need for them to be there. I can't deny I miss the interaction I had with everyone on a daily basis." Weir said with a sigh. "Though the paperwork is not missed."
"You have been greatly missed." Teyla said.
"I know. Even though both of those two would support me if I decided to want to be in command of Atlantis again, I am not sure if I would want to do so. It's not the aspect of having people look at me because of what I am, but the interest isn't there as much anymore. I just need time to get used to what I am and how to adjust to it while waiting to see what decision is made." Weir said.
"Hello ladies." Sheppard said as he walked in and then stopped suddenly.
"Hello John. Shocked to see me again?" Weir asked.
"Well, yeah. I know Rodney said they changed you, but I wasn't really expecting this." Sheppard said walking over slowly.
"Very few people believe me, but it is me. The same Elizabeth Weir that told you to leave me behind with Oberoth be me. I don't understand why Ford and Sam believe me, but I am grateful. Hopefully, given time, the rest of Atlantis will eventually see that I am who I say I am." Weir said.
"Might be a very long time, especially for Woolsey. I'm getting there, but he is very sure you are a dangerous threat and wants something else done with you." Sheppard stated.
"I understand his position. Not only because he is in charge of Atlantis and the lives on it, but also because he was in the I.O.A. If he and the rest of the I.O.A. decide I am too much of a threat, I will stay here until I figure out what I want to do with my life." Weir said.
"Yeah, Rodney said the Carters would take you with them if you weren't wanted. I really want to believe it is you, but it is a bit difficult." Sheppard said.
"I know." Weir said.
They were all startled when the alarms went off in the ship. Sheppard ran over to the com calling the bridge.
"What's going on?" Sheppard asked in command mode.
"Atlantis is fine John. The ship went to red alert on its own. Probably a glitch." Ford said leaving the com open
"This isn't a glitch. We're getting an unknown transmission being sent into the ship. From subspace if I am reading this right." Carter said.
"It's my fault. The others have found me." Weir said.
"Others?" Sheppard asked.
Sheppard and Teyla where startled when Ford and Carter suddenly appeared in the room as they beamed in.
"Quicker than running through the ship. What are they saying?" Ford asked as he leaned on the table.
"Wait, you're telling me more of them are coming here?" Sheppard asked grabbing Ford's arm.
"It makes sense Colonel. Subspace allows for more instantaneous travel, either by ship or transmissions. The other Replicators like her that didn't want universal conquest and looked for ascension are now energy and possibly light. That travels at speeds we can barely reach except by hyperdrive." Carter said.
"She may have went off on her own to look around, but there's no doubt that they kept tabs on her. I would have. With their existence being as dismal as Weir has said, it's no wonder that the first of them to find a way back to a physical existence would be reported to the others." Ford said.
"When did you come up with this?" Sheppard asked.
"We talked to her last night and did some traveling, hearing more of what she experienced and what they were trying to do." Carter said. "For Atlantis, it's been only a day since she arrived. For her and us, it's been several."
"And you didn't think of telling us this?" Sheppard asked.
"No offense John, but we know what we're doing and being here, Atlantis is safer if there was any problems. I'm surprised the others didn't come sooner after she left this time period." Ford said.
"We were only gone for what, ten seconds their time?" Carter said.
"Yeah, I think so." Ford said.
"Fine, what are we going to do then?" Sheppard asked.
"Not sure yet." Ford said.
"What are they saying?" Carter asked.
"Nothing yet other than they are coming here because I have a physical form." Weir said.
"How many?" Sheppard asked.
"Eight." Weir said.
"They will enter the city as you did, correct?" Teyla asked.
"Yes." Weir said.
"That wouldn't be a good thing. Just having you in the cities systems caused dangerous problems, even though you didn't mean to do it." Carter said. "Eight of them could cause irreparable damage to the cities main computer systems."
"If not blow up the city before they all enter her." Ford said.
"Tell them to hold off." Sheppard ordered.
"I will try, but I cannot be sure if they will listen. The pain of being in that present state is intolerable John. Even though we may be machines and energy, we are capable of feeling as much as any organic." Weir stated.
"We could give them bodies. Much safer…" Carter began.
"No way. That is too dangerous." Sheppard stated while shaking his head.
"John…" Ford began.
"We're still trying to come to terms with you saying you are Elizabeth Weir, and now this is happening. Not really building the trust level here." Sheppard said.
"I am sure Woolsey will not approve of allowing them to have bodies." Teyla stated.
"Rodney took the control crystal out and deactivated the system." Carter said.
"We can do it here in the T.A.R.D.I.S." Ford said.
"You can do what?" Sheppard asked.
"All of the knowledge in Atlantis's computers banks, memory, whatever you want to call it, was copied and put into the T.A.R.D.I.S. Within certain parameters, we could effectively recreate almost the entire city. Correction, within a enormously insane amount of time, I could effectively recreate every aspect of the city and have it fully powered." Ford said.
"That device of Merlin's that created the ascension bomb thing, right?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes. We already have the means to create, replication stuff. The General Lee is basically a Replicator body, but in the shell of a car and under my or Sam's commands. Very limited A.I. at present, but essentially…." Ford said.
"Yeah, I remember. I got to drive him and Rodney talked about the applications for something similar for a Jumper." Sheppard said.
"Too much power requirements to do that, plus other problems." Carter muttered. "Okay, we have a basic idea of how much information they take up based on what we got from Weir being in the system. We can create a blank computer drive for them to enter and then move them into bodies as they are created. They'll still be on this ship and not a threat to Atlantis."
"And what if they become that?" Sheppard asked.
"Have you listened to anything I have said about the T.A.R.D.I.S.? This idea is full proof. Even if there was fifty or a hundred, there is no way any A.I. can outwit, outsmart or outdo the T.A.R.D.I.S. A T.A.R.D.I.S. isn't some incredibly built ship, they are grown. They are a feat of incredible life that are almost unstoppable. And since ours is so greatly improved and already knows all about the Replicator system and programming, there is nothing they could do to themselves that we wouldn't know about." Ford stated sternly.
"Are you completely sure about that? Willing to risk your family, Atlantis and everyone on it as well?" Sheppard asked getting a few quick nods from Ford.
"Weir gave important intel on other races and their technology before she left the system Rodney created. If we let these other Replicators in, everything about them will instantly be filed into the T.A.R.D.I.S. systems, everything that makes them what they are. They may be living, but it is living computer information, all open to reading. We can set up the same protocols that Rodney has in place for the Fran template to keep anything from happening." Carter stated.
"We can change the template mode with ease though to allow them to take on the appearance of what they looked like before to ensure we can keep better tabs on them, but otherwise, they will be as vulnerable as Weir is. Trust us." Ford said.
"It's better than them entering Atlantis and causing havoc there." Carter stated.
"I don't like this at all, but better here than in Atlantis. Can you put the ship in orbit just in case anything goes wrong?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes." Ford said. "You and Teyla go back to Woolsey and tell him what's going on. We'll take off and give up updates on what is happening."
"We'll also shut down and disable the transporter systems to be on the safe side." Carter said.
"That will help. I really hope this doesn't blow up in our faces." Sheppard said as he and Teyla left.
Several minutes later and the ship now in high orbit, Woolsey was upset at the news, but Sheppard and Teyla told him and Rodney what the two in orbit had planned.
"I knew this was too good to be true." Woolsey muttered.
"They are willing to stake their family on this. I don't like what is happening either, but I trust them to do the right thing." Sheppard said.
"We are receiving a incoming message from the X-wing sir." Chuck said.
"Put it up." Woolsey said. "This is Atlantis. Please tell me you have good news."
"We do Mr. Woolsey." Carter said as she came on the screen from a large lab inside the T.A.R.D.I.S. "The plan worked out just fine. One at a time they entered the computer as Weir told them to and bodies were made. We have nine Replicators on board and they are no threat or trying to be one. In fact, they are extremely grateful that we helped them and are cooperating perfectly. Ford and Weir are with them now."
She moved out of the way to show the large group all standing by a system very similar to the one that Rodney shut down. There was enough chairs for a dozen people and some where filled. They all had their original bodies but the same clothes, a light beige robe like outfit on. Ford and Weir were standing and talking to them as she came back on the screen.
"We are in the T.A.R.D.I.S. currently. Fail safes have been put on the systems in the X-wing to ensure they can't try anything, such as hacking in. If anyone of them does, they will get seriously injured or instantly decompiled into a pile of dust. Because we'd rather not have any Wraith ships find us in orbit, we're coming back to land again and a field has been emitted around the X-wing. If they attempt to leave the ship, the field they'd have to cross would severe the connections and turn them into dust." Carter said.
"Very well. But the moment any trouble starts, I want that ship off Atlantis before it has any chance of spreading." Woolsey stated.
"Yes sir." Carter said sighing off.
"McKay, I want you over there checking things out as soon as they land. Go with him Colonel." Woolsey ordered.
"You don't trust them?" Rodney asked.
"I don't trust Replicators. Until I see some proof or results that make me change my mind, I am not dropping my guard or this cities." Woolsey said.
"Got it. Come on McKay, let's go get Chewie first." Sheppard said.
Some hours later, Sheppard, Weir, Carter, Rodney and Ronan were in Woolsey's office.
"They want to do what?" Woolsey asked.
"They want to make human bodies for themselves." Rodney stated.
"Much the same as the copy of me you encountered before." Weir said. "We would only need a work space and time to do so."
"They would essentially be as human as the rest of us. Just with replicated human bodies. We don't have the technology to do it, but they do. We just need to provide the materials." Rodney stated.
"And why can't they do it on your ship?" Woolsey asked.
"Time, for the most part. We can make and give them the supplies they'll need, but it will take them a lot longer than we want to stay for them to create organic bodies for them." Carter said.
"And yet, you deal with time travel." Woolsey stated.
"They would be with us for a month or more. Time would flow for you all quickly, but for us we'd be with them daily. Just being here worries you greatly, so there is no way in hell the SGC is going to allow us to go back to Earth with Replicators on our ship. And we're due to help SG-1 on a mission in five days." Carter said.
"Being in these Replicated bodies, we do not need to eat or sleep or take breaks, but it will still take time to perform the task we'll need to do." Weir said. "You could place us in a secluded section of the city with a shield around the room and guards outside to watch us work, record everything we do and watch everything that happens."
"Why not also record everything you say?" Sheppard asked.
"Being what we are, it is much more efficient when we communicate in our minds and takes less time to explain everything to each other." Weir said. "Once we have human bodies, we will willing go to another planet that is safe and continue towards ascension."
"Having organic bodies would make that possibility easier." Rodney said.
"If you had human bodies and somehow managed to gain ascension, what guarantee do we have that the group won't try to do anything?" Woolsey asked.
"There is ascended Ancients not only in the Milky Way, but also here in Pegasus." Carter stated. "If they gain ascension, they'll be kept in line. Daniel can vouch for that fact personally."
"How dangerous could things get if one or any of them decided to go on the attack, for whatever reason? Could we stop them?" Woolsey asked.
"They are as basic as they can get. No Replication ability at all. A limb cut or shot or blown off, they'll need our help to get it fixed. Anything else, they can pretty much fix, but can't replace with any supplies without our help." Rodney stated.
"Given enough ammo shots, we could probably kill them, but an explosive would do just the same, though quicker." Sheppard said.
"We can shield the room easily and keep watch on them as Weir said. Have the guards outside with modified anti-Replicator guns in case anything happens." Rodney stated.
"We'll still be here for another few days unless something comes up where we need to leave." Carter said.
"Very well. But I want to be kept apprised of all developments and hourly updates on what is happening." Woolsey stated.
A couple hours later, Ronan was still watching the inside of the room from a small window and Rodney was keeping watch on seven monitors that videoed everything they did. Ford and Carter came by a few times and then went off somewhere else. The shield around the room had not been tampered with or touched, there still had been no attempts at trying to get out or access the cities computers and from all indications, the group was cooperating as part of the deal. Though most people had calmed down and some forgot that there was even Replicators in the city, Woolsey was still as tense as ever, expecting something bad to happen at any time. Later towards the night and Rodney getting tired of watching them work but never say anything so he had nothing to really focus on, he passed out on the table nearby. Ronan was still watching them move around inside and work at the various computers in the room, but no obvious signs of anything developing in a material sense had happened yet. One of the guys turned away from a computer and looked at a camera before turning to look at Ronan. Ronan started to reach for his energy pistol as he felt something about to go wrong and wasn't surprised when it suddenly did as the power went out in the entire city.
"McKay, wake up! The shield is down!" Ronan yelled.
"What? What's going on?" Rodney asked quickly as he sat up and saw it was dark. He quickly grabbed his radio as Ronan walked out. "Sheppard, General, anyone! We got trouble!"
Ronan went around the corner checking things out slowly and turned quickly as he heard movement. He wasn't fast enough to move or get his gun up as the Replicator slammed his hand into his chest throwing him through the air and into the far wall. A few guards ran up and fired their guns but it had no effect on the Replicator as he turned and ran off quickly. They reported in what happened as they checked out Ronan who was still alive but down on the floor in pain.
Several minutes later, Sheppard and his team along with both Carters and K-9 were in the room where the rest of the Replicators were standing and had not moved since the incident. Power was still out so Carter hooked K-9 up to the computers to bring them back up to look over the data.
"What happened?" Sheppard asked.
"One of the Replicators, Koracen, decided to go rouge on us." Rodney said.
"I should have known he'd do something like this. We all knew he seemed distracted and sometimes not working as well as the rest of us on this project. You have no reason to trust us, but I swear, the rest of us had nothing to do with this." Weir stated.
"We have no idea where he is or what he plans to do. He's cut us off from reaching him." the red headed Replicator said.
"According to the last scans of transmissions they were having with each other before the power went out, there was a barely detected level of interaction between Koracen and the city. He did a very good job of keeping himself from being detected as he worked in the cities programming to shut down power." Carter said. "The scans of the rest of them show they weren't trying in any way to access the city and only talked to each other. Koracen maintained a low level connection with the rest of them, which was just enough to not arouse suspicion."
"I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. We knew something felt wrong but I along with the rest of us were so wrapped up in this project we didn't think on it any further." the Chinese looking lady said. "Please, we are not apart of whatever he is doing. We only want to finish this and will cooperate with any orders to be able to achieve our goal here of becoming human."
"I believe them." Ford said.
"You're so into robots and A.I.'s that you don't see the threat they pose." Sheppard said.
"I even knew something felt wrong when he asked me several questions and asked to be allowed to do other things. I told him no and when he tried to plead he knew what went wrong, I told him to stop. He gave up, reluctantly and I figured the matter was closed." Ford said.
"Guess he decided to do his own thing anyway." Rodney muttered.
"Sam, can you stay here and keep watch with the others?" Ford asked.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure they won't do anything. But if anything does…" Carter said pulling out her Sonic Screwdriver.
"That work for you Colonel?" Ford asked.
"For the moment. Rodney, go get power back up with Radek. The General and I will see about stopping Koracen. Keep us informed." Sheppard said. "The rest of you keep watch. I don't want any of them getting anywhere near this door and if Koracen doubles back, shoot him until you run out of ammo or he turns to dust."
The three teams of guards including Major Lorne's nodded.
"I did try to stop him, but he brushed me aside. I would like to help if I can." Weir said.
"Do you really think you can get him to back down and surrender until the rest of you actually get bodies made so he becomes less of a threat?" Sheppard asked very seriously.
"I….no. I'm sorry John, I should have told you to keep a better watch on him sooner." Weir stated solemnly.
"If any of you try anything, all of you will pay. No matter what Ford or Sam says, all deals will be off and you'll be put down if we have to blow the city, understand?" Sheppard asked strongly.
The group nodded while backing further from the guards and stood or stand down on the various tables or chairs.
"Little harsh there…" Ford said.
"Ford, I know you want to help them, but they are a serious threat. We have no real idea of what they have planned and I refuse to stake the city and the lives in it on your or Sam's feelings." Sheppard said as they walked down the dark corridor.
"When we find this guy, whatever happens with him, Sam and I will take the others to another planet and let them do their research and such alone with no chance of being a threat to anyone. We'll even take the Stargate off the planet and out of orbit if there is one." Ford said while pulling his Sonic Screwdriver out.
"Why didn't you just do that to begin with?" Sheppard asked.
"Because of the valuable intel we were gathering from their research and such. Think about it, with what they are doing with those nanites, the application of using them to help heal serious injuries would be incredible. We'd just have to do a little programming to ensure the nanites don't do more replicating and break down or exit the body when they have done their job." Ford said.
"Well, I can't deny that sounds good. Staying in the infirmary for a week or more isn't appealing." Sheppard said looking around with his light intently before shifting it to a corridor nearby as he saw a shadow. "There he is!"
Both ran around up and around the corner finding him running.
"Stop!" Sheppard yelled.
He did while raising his arms and turning to them.
"The others are cooperating, why couldn't you just let it go? Once you have a human body, you're much closer to ascending." Ford stated.
"Being human means being weak. Even if we continued to have just enough nanites in our human bodies to keep us healthy until age takes our lives, I do not believe there is enough years to gain ascension. If I stay in this body, I am sure I will find out where I went wrong before in my research and attain ascension while still in this form." Koracen said.
"I already told you that it would be next to impossible. I could ascend if I wanted and gave Elizabeth a pretty good understanding of how it is possible. It may take a few years, but you can still obtain it." Ford said. "Give up now, apologize and we'll let you stay alive, but restrained until the first body is made for you."
"I can't." Koracen said.
"Fine." Sheppard stated as he opened fire.
He rushed toward them as the bullets went through his body. Ford activated his Sonic Screwdriver while shaking his head sadly only to be surprised when nothing happened. Sheppard was knocked aside quickly as Ford barely managed to duck getting hit in the head. He managed a few more dodges before making a swing that hit the guy in the face, but did nothing as his arm was grabbed and he was tossed into Sheppard, knocking them both to the ground. Both got up groaning as Koracen ran off.
"So much for your Sonic thing. That hurt." Sheppard said with a groan of pain.
"Be thankful I didn't have my heavy coat on. Probably would have broke bones." Ford said helping him to his feet. "Sam, he somehow managed to block or ignore the Sonic Screwdriver. I'll try a different setting so be prepared if he comes back your way."
"Got it." Carter said.
"Rodney, where it that power?" Sheppard asked as they ran down the hall.
"I'm working on it, okay! I have to reroute several protocols and fix a few programs…." Rodney said rather hurriedly over the line.
"Fine, just make it quick please. And make sure the transporters and the Puddle Jumpers are inaccessible to everyone for the time being." Sheppard said.
A few twist and turns later, they found him running towards stairs to the tower. Sheppard fired hitting him in the legs which didn't do anything until Ford hit him a few times with his energy pistols on the kill setting. He stumbled on the stairs but quickly regained his balance while ripping the rail off. Both of them barely moved out of the way as it was tossed at them. The rest of his ammo was fired and before he could change clips, Koracen picked him up by the vest and tossed him towards Ford who ducked while doing a football tackle into Koracen's side.
Both went down and his arm was broken as he didn't manage to dodge out of the way of Koracen's swing. Sheppard got a new clip in but wasn't able to fire as the gun was ripped from his grasp and then crushed and tossed aside. As his vest was grabbed, Koracen's back was hit with a explosive round from Ford's personal cannon making him drop Sheppard and stumble into the wall. Two more rounds were fired hitting him and part of the wall, causing parts and circuits to fly out from the explosion. Power came back on at that moment and a large surge of energy ripped through the exposed conduits causing power to fluctuated and spark greatly. Sheppard saw the Sonic Screwdriver nearby and tossed it over to Ford who quickly dropped his gun and activated it. Koracen turned into a bright light as the power continued through him and then caused him to explode in a massive shower of fine dust. Several guards came along as the two were still coughing from the dust.
"Is he gone sir?" one of the guards asked.
"Yeah, we blew him up. Or the General did. What about the others?" Sheppard said as he was helped to his feet.
"They haven't moved sir." the guard said.
"Good. Let's get this over with General. I got bruised ribs that are looking forward to me not moving for awhile." Sheppard said.
"Yeah, my arm was telling me the same thing, again." Ford said flexing his fingers. "As was my back."
Though Woolsey was willing to let them continue to work since the others had done nothing and there was proof they weren't behind what Koracen did, Elizabeth felt it was too risky to stay on the base and took Ford and Sam on their offer to work on another planet where there was no Stargate's and they would be totally alone to themselves. Whether they lived or died or possibly ascended would be up to them and whatever happened on the planet. Sheppards team and a few others wished them good luck and were a bit sorry to see her leave since they began believing it was really her. With a report filed by Sam and Ford for Woolsey to give the SGC and I.O.A., the X-wing dematerialized off the pier and then things basically went back to normal.
Making a jump through time after they dematerialized, the X-wing arrived just outside the Replicated Atlantis city while cloaked as the Replicator ship above the planet began firing on the city below where the non-Oberoth followers had went to. They sent a message to the city while Ford moved his T.A.R.D.I.S. next to the tower and raised the shields around the city. Once the human Replicated team of Sheppard's and Elizabeth left in the Jumper, a naquada bomb was beamed over the top of the city making it look like the city was destroyed. As the explosion was wearing off, Carter landed the ship and Ford raised the T.A.R.D.I.S. shield around the city making it dematerialize away.
As soon as the Replicator ship left, Ford brought the city back and put his T.A.R.D.I.S. back in the X-wing. The Replicators in the city were extremely confused at what was going on, but after a few hours of talking, everything went over well. The Replicated Ford from the incident with the I.O.A. and the X-wing suddenly showed up from out of a transporter telling them he was here to stay and help after saying he was dropped off by the T.A.R.D.I.S. from the past during the said incident which the current Ford had to send a message back to, so the process took place and the strange paradox continued.
The plan was to continue to research into ascension with Weir helping them since the city would be safe and left alone from now on. Since they city had one fully powered ZPM, it would be safe from any attacks and with the solar power system boosted, they could maintain power consumption loss much easier. Leaving them to continue what they started and allow the other Replicators to do what they wanted since the city was not going to fly and there was no active gate for them to go anywhere, the rest of the galaxy was safe from anything happening. Once the X-wing went to the present time, they did a scan of the planet finding that there was many life signs, more than there should have been with a few being Replicators still.
"Guess some of them decided to see what living an organic life would be like. There is kids down there." Ford said while looking at scans in the T.A.R.D.I.S.
"What about you? I mean…" Carter began.
"He's still a Replicator. Considering all those games, books, movies and TV shows I was able to copy for him, it's no wonder he wants to experience them all. The ancients made it pretty clear they don't want me ascending if at all possible. None of the other versions of me either." Ford said.
"True. And he wants any more you eventually get too. God, there was once one of you and now, I can't even remember how many there is now." Carter said.
"I've lost count as well. Guess I am making up for not being in other universes, parallel or otherwise. Let's go update Atlantis so they know which planet to stay away from or check out from a distance and then get on with life." Ford said.
