Stargate Atlantis: Devil's Advocate4
I summoned up the courage to approach him. It was like a giant hand pushed me and there I was, walking up to him and talking. I needed to show him the report he had requested. Info on the new species. I was afraid he would reject it or me, or harbor lingering resentment or blame for Lorne's death, Ford's death. But he listened to me. He paid attention even to all of the science and he noted the details once I pointed them out to him. Even when I wandered off-topic he seemed genuinely interested in me, in what I had to say, in what I did. He seemed to appreciate all of the work I had put into it, all the time. And he seemed to relax with me again. He talked freely, maybe a little too freely but it was as if we were old friends and could talk that way. He took the time to see what I had done for him and he appreciated it.
It was awkward, talking to him about the symbol in front of everyone but I somehow managed it and he gave me his full attention. He even came to my defense during an argument with a fellow scientist although no defense was needed. He seemed to value my opinion and actually wanted to hear what I had to say.
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John strode to the conference room, entered and waited, glancing at the table. He set down his P90 and folded his arms across his chest. Data pads were left unattended after a hasty meeting. He couldn't keep still. He began to pace around the room, restless, mind full of questions, concerns, going over every little detail of the mission. He pondered what to expect, trying to anticipate what would happen.
He didn't really believe this would be his last mission. Of course that possibility existed with every mission, but he had never gone into one believing it. Until now. He knew there was a very distinct possibility he would end up on the Hive ship, which was part of his plan, but he really wasn't that keen to go. Still he would do it for the city, to protect the city and its inhabitants.
It's not like anyone was waiting for him to return anyway.
He paced, paced, unfolding his arms to clasp his hands behind his back. Decisions were gnawing at him. Losses were always haunting him. There was a weird fission in the air, as if the city could sense his underlying anxiety and sympathized with him. It was fission only John could sense, he knew. He stopped pacing. Tapped his earpiece and said quietly, "Chuck, page Major Teldy to the conference room." After the acknowledgement he resumed his pacing.
He knew that Reynolds and his team would obey his orders to the letter. Ronon would be the one who would have to be restrained and now Rodney as well. John had never had to worry about the physicist becoming violent or homicidal, but with Todd in the picture that was a very real possibility. He knew he could trust Ronon to watch their backs while John made sure that Rodney didn't inadvertently ruin the mission or get himself injured, or worse.
He wondered if he should bring along a lemon to hinder his friend.
John kept glancing at the open doorway, wondering when Moira would appear with the intel he needed. He had noted her concern, her alarm, both washing over him like a wave from her brown eyes. He smiled briefly, thinking of her but he stopped again, turning his mind back to the mission.
Todd was an enigma all in himself. He could never be trusted but he was a sort of liaison with the Wraith. And any intel on this new queen was worth any risk. Once the fuglies were eliminated the Wraith would be the next target. John paused, touching the wall for a moment. The city seemed to purr in response, in agreement. And then the Coalition would be brought to heel, and the Genii would be eliminated.
John shook his head at the odd idea, but he didn't quite dismiss it. Why not remove another thorn in the galaxy while he was busy pruning? He freed the wall, flexing his fingers. They were warm, as if he had been touching something warm. The wall wasn't warm. He eyed it a moment, but no answers were on the pleasing blue structure. He stared hard at it. For a second, a mere split second he could have sworn he had heard a voice, a whispering that was almost lost in the quiet of the room.
As if the city was trying to talk to him with actual words instead of emotions.
Ann Teldy entered the room and paused, seeing the military commander frozen in place, frozen in thought. A very pensive look was on his handsome face and she was loath to intrude. She took the opportunity to let her gaze wander over him, not as a member of the military but as a woman. He was stunning in his seriousness, all in black like some vengeful harbinger bringing doom to their enemies. His green gaze was as hard as diamonds as he stared intensely at the wall. "Colonel Sheppard? You wanted to see me?" she finally ventured.
Ann's quiet voice interrupted his thoughts and John looked at her. "Yes, Major Teldy." He gestured for her to step closer to him as he stood near one end of the table. "While I am gone I am placing you in charge of the city at least in its military aspects as required. And as Woolsey sees fit."
Ann's blue eyes widened in surprise but her voice was calm. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me, Ann," he said, a brief smile appearing. "It's a thankless job. Normally I'd give it to Reynolds but he's going with me on the op."
"I'll do my best, sir."
"I know that you will." He paused, became somber. "There's a good chance we might be cut off from the 'Gate, or captured, or worse. I want you to be absolutely clear on this: your priority is the safety of this city and its populace. Do not attempt any kind of search and rescue, should it come to that. That is a direct order."
Ann swallowed, trying to remain calm, to quell her surprise and her worry. Dozens of arguments came to her mind but she silenced them all. "Yes, sir."
John nodded. "Have Radek keep monitoring that Hive ship. If it changes course or heads for Atlantis cloak the city. Engage the emergency protocols as a last resort. Keep trying to contact Earth as well. And keep tracking the fuglies. McKay's got a program in place for that. Designate Teyla as your second if the city's security is compromised in any way. If you need a strong ATA carrier for whatever reason to defend the city or to power up the systems use Beckett. Or O'Meara. Her ATA is strong as well. And if you need intel on the fuglies go to O'Meara. She's on top of that. Woolsey's been apprised on this so don't worry."
"Yes, sir." Ann frowned. She touched his arm, concern softening her features. "John…it sounds like you don't…you don't expect to return from his mission."
John shrugged. "To be honest…I don't."
"Then why go? Why take the risk?"
"For Atlantis," he answered simply. "For everyone here. We're up against an enemy we don't understand and know very little about. If we have to ally ourselves with an enemy who we do understand and do know and who can help us defeat them so be it."
"And if this is a ruse? Word gets round," she explained to his questioning gaze.
"Then at least Atlantis will be safe. If that ship gets too close eliminate it. Those are my orders."
"John…if you're aboard it or…"
"I know. Those are my orders."
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"It is unconscionable! There is no reason for me to be excluded from this mission! I have as much as right as Rodney does, as Ronon does! He excludes me because I am a woman! He pretends his reasons are more about you and Torren but I know the truth! What does he expect me to do? Sit here and wait for him while he risks his life, while my friends risk their lives? I have as much as a right to be there as any of them, as any man!"
Kanaan watched his wife as she circled the room, circled the room, bouncing baby Torren in her arms as the infant gurgled happily after his meal. Wisely Kanaan waited until Teyla had vented her frustration and anger before answering. "Indeed you do, my love, and Sheppard knows that. But he also knows you have a family here now."
Teyla glared at her husband, gently patting the baby's back as she held him at her shoulder. "You too? You would deny me the right to—"
"No, not me. He would." He pointed at his son. The baby gurgled as if in confirmation then burped to further his opinion. His parents briefly smiled.
Teyla sighed. She kissed the happy baby's rosy cheek, circled again as she bounced him. "I know that you are right. Perhaps even John is right in this, but I do not like it. This mission is crucial to all of us, and the Wraith are not to be trusted. Sometimes I think the ones from Earth do not fully realize this."
"They do not," Kanaan agreed. "They have never lived under the shadow of the Wraith, as we have. As have our ancestors. They see the human side of the Wraith and think they can reason with that. We, however, have seen the monster lurking underneath that façade, and will never be fooled by them no matter how much they may try to act like us."
Teyla smiled, stopping to view her husband as he sat on the bed. "I could not have put it better, my love. I should go with them."
"Ronon is with them. He will not be fooled by any Wraith tricks or beguilements."
"True. If…if something happens…I would feel guilty if I was not there. Yet…I must not be as reckless as I once was. I must think of Torren now…and you."
Kanann nodded. "You were never reckless, Teyla, but yes, you must think of us now. I would never stop you from going on missions. I only would ask you to consider each one carefully."
Teyla circled, circled. "I can do that. I just wish…I…" She was torn between the needs of her family, her child, and the needs of her team, her friends. She sat next to her husband. "I feel there is more going on than I have been told. John's demeanor was…different. We have faced danger many times, but this…there is something more and he will not divulge it."
"You think they will try to recapture Todd? Or even try to create another Michael?"
"I do not know. I do not believe they would ever try to replicate that experiment again." She felt an involuntary shudder, recalling Michael and all that he had put her through, had put everyone through until at last she had managed to end his life and the threat he posed. She cuddled her baby closer. "Todd is another matter. They may try to capture him…but Rodney would most surely vehemently object."
"Do you think that Rodney will try to kill Todd?"
"I would not put it past him. And I would not blame him if he did. However, I think that John wants Todd alive as a useful pawn or contact. I do not know! The man is keeping his agenda a secret, even from me!" she flared.
"Perhaps he is, but if he chooses not to tell you then you must trust him. There is little you can do."
"I know…and that is the most frustrating thing of all."