CHAPTER 43 – FIELD TRIP

It appeared that the scheduled mission to the planet where wraith were beginning to show themselves a little more frequently that was deemed polite, would have to be put on hold. They had a show and tell to sit through first. And one that would require an extremely high level of acting skills. They would have to welcome the visiting group to Atlantis, unable to give them any sign that they knew of the suspected affiliation with the group who were currently blackmailing Nicole into exposing the stargate programme.

"And you're sure you didn't meet General Summers at that dinner? The two IOA men coming with him? What about them?"

John was insistent. He was in the control room with Nicole and wanted her out of the way when they arrived. He had thought it would seem suspicious if she were standing by his side in the gate room when they came through. They would also have to tread very carefully where their relationship was concerned. As far as Nicole knew, the group had no inkling of her relationship with the Colonel, and they wanted it to stay like that. They had proposed to stay only one night in Atlantis, and she would move back into her old quarters for that night. Just in case.

"I can't be 100 percent sure John. As you may recall, I was a little under the weather for most of the dinner... and there were several faces there who remained in the background and did not speak... at least not while I was in any state to register it. I'm sorry... I know it must be frustrating, but I'm doing my best here!"

He ran a hand down her hair to calm her. "Hey... I'm not putting it back on you... I'm just concerned that this whole thing will blow up in our faces before we get the final touches in place. You're amazing, sweetheart. You've put all the pieces together, mostly on your own. We're the ones that need to step up now, and do our part. You've more than done yours."

He felt her relax a little and knew that her tension came from frustration. She wanted it all over, they all did. Her story was more or less complete, she would however add to it once the Director and and IOA returned to earth. And of course, the crowning glory would be when the house of cards came crashing down. That would be the finale to her story. If it ever got published – John thought that perhaps one day, and maybe in the not so distant future, Nicole would find a way to convince those in power, that running her story would be a good thing for the world. Not a bad thing. Living in the light. That's what being around Nicole meant. And she intended to bring that same gift to the rest of the world.

When the claxons sounded signifying the stargate activation, Nicole gave John a hasty kiss and left the room quickly. She would go back to her quarters and start editing her photos. They'd call her when it was time to leave.

She didn't have too long to wait. John and Sam along with Rodney, had given their visitors the 'usual' hands on tour of Atlantis. The Trelium mining planet was accessible by stargate, so when she got the call to join them, it was to the gateroom that she went, but not before stopping by the gear room first for a tactical vest. Ronon was there with her, picking up his weapon. He would be going along on the mission as well, and he raised an eyebrow at her when she walked in.

"All set?"

"Nearly... I want to take a weapon, Ronon."

His eyebrow quirked up again, and he shook his head.

"So you can shoot your foot off? Until Sheppard knows you can handle a weapon, I would suggest leaving it. That's my advice."

"Well, it's not an order, so..." she moved over to the array of weaponry and paused at the semi automatic.

"This'll do nicely. Don't look at me like that Ronon! I've used one before... hell, I even shot something once..."

"Yeah? What?"

"Coke can..." she mumbled this as she struggled a little to fit the small weapon into a secure area, and Ronon, muttering an oath, pushed her hand aside and held out a thigh holster, kneeling down and strapping it to her leg. He gingerly inserted the weapon and gave it a pat.

"There... now I feel better."

"Not so sure the rest of us do..." His tone was dry and the look he gave her was a little dark, but she smiled at him and quirked an eyebrow and he chuckled. Sheppard had his hands full with this one.

Nicole and Ronon were the last ones to arrive in the gate room, and she watched as John gave her a polite smile, then watched as his eyes widened when they took in the weapon she had strapped to her leg. The look in his eyes was not pleasant, and she winced a little, knowing that the crap would hit the fan, but mentally shrugging her shoulders. There was no way she was going offworld with the head of what was a global conspiracy, without some sort of backup off her own.

General Summers, the director of the NSA, stepped forward with his hand out. His eyes were cold and they showed no recognition at all, but she did see a spark of... something... when he took in the weapon at her thigh.

"Miss Harmon. I've heard all about you from General O'Neill. Your little adventure in arriving here in Atlantis with no recollection of how you came to be here. I understand the General is trying to find out how you came to arrive here. It seems rather an unfortunate situation for you..."

"Yes, General – it is. But I'm trying to keep busy – taking photos and staying out of everyone's way until they can get me clearance to go home." She had shaken the General's hand and heard the snort of derision that John could barely suppress at her comment. No, she had most assuredly not stayed out of people's way.

"Yes, that is admirable. I understand you're coming along on this trip today? To photograph?"

"Colonel Carter asked if I would take some photos for the scientists at Area 51. They are working on the Trelium properties, and need to have visual on some of the topographic conditions from which the mineral is derived. I'm glad to be given something to do. It has been a little tedious sitting around Atlantis with nothing to do. Although I have to commend the people here – they have made my stay as pleasant as possible."

She gave the General a bland smile that had John almost choking. It seemed her acting skills were on par with her writing abilities and he shook his head. It was going to be an interesting trip.

The Trelium deposits were located near the surface of the hard rock found on the planet and the methods of mining used by the inhabitants of Paledia, as the planet was named, was a version of open-cut mining, otherwise known as surface mining – being the most effective because the mineral deposit was close to the surface. The technique involved blasting and removing surface layers of soil and rock to reach the deposit. A separation process was then used to eliminate waste by-products. The particular separation method used by the people of Paledia involved the use of heavy liquids. When the Trelium seam became exposed it was then drilled, fractured and mined, this particular method was effective in recovering 90% of the mineral deposit.

Trelium was used as a trading commodity with other parts of the galaxy and as this was their only commodity, most of the male and female population of the planet were involved in the mining production. It was self replenishing, although the process took time – many years. The Trelium deposits beneath the surface of the planet were extensive, and so far they had managed the conservation issue on the planet satisfactorily. Only one part of the planet was mined at any one time, while a previously mined area was given at least ten years to regenerate. Quantities so far had been sufficient for their own use and trading.

John doubted that they would be able to provide the quantities that earth would require. Not without some serious conservation damage to the planet. It seemed that the group that General Summer represented did not care very much about that.

John had let Sam go on ahead with the visitors for a few moments, and when they had a small measure of privacy, John had gripped Nicole's upper arm. Tight.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Give me that damn gun, before you shoot someone with it."

He reached down to her thigh, intent on extracting the weapon, but she stepped briskly away from him and pulled herself out of his grip.

"Careful John... you'll blow our little plan out of the water. As I told Ronon, I've fired one of these before... and everyone else on your missions always has a gun – even Rodney!"

"They damn well know how to use them – I've personally trained them all myself. You? I'm not taking your word for it Nicole. Give me the damn weapon."

"No! And stop being so damn bossy. You're going to attract attention soon, and that, Colonel Sheppard, would not be a good thing. So go back to your guests and play nice. I can take care of myself."

Resisting the urge to reach up and kiss that damn frown off his face, she winked at him and danced on ahead , calling out for the others to wait for her. Ronon turned and tried to hide the smirk when he saw the look in John's eyes.

He was thinking that he might just take the gun and shoot her himself. That would go a long way to putting them all out of their misery.