As promised. Next chapter.
"When the shield is showing more signs of collapse and people are being moved into a secure area. I have to get to my lab and find out what is going on." Mina said.
"Let me come with you. I may be able to help." Rodney said.
"Thank you Rodney. Hopefully we can find out the cause for this latest hole."Mina said.
"We'll go with you. Maybe we can help with the evacuation." John said.
"I am sure that any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated Colonel. Follow me." Mina said.
John and the others followed Mina towards what looked like the exit of the museum. As they were about to leave they were met by Tollara, Colar, and several other official looking people.
"This must be the welcoming committee." John said.
A women came forward from the group and stepped towards Teyla and Danielle. The look of shock was clear on her face. She reached her hand out and touched Danielle on the shoulder and almost jumped back when she felt Danielle was real. When she started to reach for Teyla John spoke up.
"She's real ma'am. They both are." John said.
"Please forgive me." the women said suddenly feeling foolish for her actions. " I did not mean to offend either of you it is just that I did not believe Tollara when he said you were real. Listen to me rambling on like this when there is much to done. Let me introduce myself. My name is Dinara and I am apart of the ruling council of Naharra. I also serve as Chairman and Council Liaison to the Board of Sciences. I wish that I did not have to rush this meeting but Dr. Sona is needed due to a state of emergency."Dinara said.
"Is it the shield?" Mina asked.
"Yes. The field is very unstable and the random holes are now becoming bigger and are lasting for longer durations of time. One has formed over the Nittan region. The council has ordered the people moved out of the area. General Sitarras has sent men to help with moving people out of region."Dinara said.
"How many people are in that area?" Teyla asked.
The question caught Dinara off guard. It's not that she didn't understand the question but the voice threw her off. It sounded just like Maihairi's. The woman even looked like her. This was all still unbelievable to Dinara. She took a moment and collected her thoughts again before she answered.
"There are over seven hundred people that live in that region." Dinara said.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" John asked.
"You must be Colonel Sheppard. Colar has told me about you and your team. All good things I assure you. We appreciate the offer of assistance Colonel but I must get you to the council chambers first. Councilman Miccar, our leader, sent me to collect you and bring you to the council chambers where you will meet the other leaders of our world." Dinara said.
"Councilwoman, I would like to take Dr. McKay with me to the lab. I will need his assistance with trying to find out more about the holes that are forming." Mina said.
"Very well, I will inform the council that Dr. McKay is with you. A transport ship is waiting to take you straight to your lab." Dinara said.
"Thank you. Are you ready Rodney?" Mina asked.
"Yes, I am." Rodney said.
Mina and Rodney started to leave when John called Rodney's name and walked over to him pulling him away Mina.
"Keep in touch ok?" John said tapping his ear piece.
"I'll be fine dad." Rodney said.
"Don't start with me Rodney. I'm not comfortable with the fact that we are splitting up even if it is for a good cause. Don't forget that we still don't have the whole story of whatever is going on here so cut me a little slack and just nod your head and say ok." John said
Rodney played along and nodded his head yes. "Fine. Ok. Can I go now?"
"Yes, you can go now." John said
Rodney was about to say another smart ass comment when he saw the look on Sheppard's face. He knew that look all to well from John. It was that worried look of his that always panned out. So rather than antagonize John more Rodney thought that it would be better to just cooperate. "Look Sheppard,I'll let you know the moment I find out something."
"Thank you." John said.
Rodney saw John looked a tiny bit more relax and that was good enough for him. He quickly walked towards Mina who was waiting for him so they could meet their transport.
Once Rodney was gone John turned his attention back to the rest of his team.
"Now, if you all will follow me I will escort you to the council chambers. They are all most anxious to meet you." Dinara said
"Lead the way ma'am." John said.
"The council chambers are in the city so we will need to take a transport over to the building where the council chambers are." Dinara said.
As they walked towards the transport area John noticed that much of the building looked like the Ancients had something to do with much of the architecture. There were some different elements that John suspected were due to the Naharrans but there was definitely an Ancient feel to the place.
When they reached the transport chamber it was just another clue to John at how close the Ancients and Naharrans really were.
The transport chamber delivered them to a long hallway with no windows. While walking down the hallway John heard a kind of humming sound that was very familiar to him but he couldn't place it. It was starting to bug him because the sound was on the tip of his tongue but it just wasn't coming to him.
Teyla looked over to John and could see that something was on his mind.
"Are you alright?" Teyla asked.
"I'm fine. I just hear this humming and it sounds really familiar to me. Like something I've heard before on Atlantis. It's really bugging me because I know I know it." John said.
"I do not hear the humming you are talking about John but I have no doubt that you do hear it. If you had to guess what the sound was what would it be?" Teyla asked.
"If I to guess I would say it almost sounds like a Jumper being powered up." John said.
"A Jumper? I thought Jumpers were only found on Atlantis?" Teyla asked.
"Same here. It looks like we're coming to our destination now so we'll see what's behind door number one." John said.
They finally reached the end of the hallway where there was a set of huge metal double doors with the number six on it. Next to the door was a pad that Dinara placed her hand on then waited for the computer to recognize her.
"Unable to verify. Please place your hand on the pad for verification." the computer said.
John and the others watched as Dinara placed her hand back on the pad only to be denied access again.
"Is there a problem Dinara?" Tollara asked.
"There have been system wide problems with Central all day. Verification has been the main one due to the problems with the shield. I have been going through this all day. Tollara would you mind trying?" Dinara said.
"Of course." Tollara said.
Tollara stepped forward and placed his hand on the pad and waited for the computer to verify his identity.
"Verification complete. Id confirmed. You may enter docking bay six. Are you in need of a pilot Councilman?" Central said.
"No we have our own thank you Central. Please open the bay doors." Tollara asked.
When the doors to the bay opened John's suspicions were confirmed. The humming noise he heard was indeed a Jumper.
"It seems you were correct John in your assumption that it was a Jumper. Your ears have become accustomed to the sounds a Jumper." Teyla said.
"They should after flying them for five years. I wonder if they are the same design as ours or different? I know if I'm starting to ask questions then Rodney must be driving Dr. Sona crazy with his." John said.
"I believe some of your questions are about to be answered." Teyla said as they approached the Jumper.
"Colonel? I thought Jumpers were only on Atlantis?" Danielle whispered as she walked up closer to Teyla and Sheppard.
"We were just talking about that. I find it pretty funny that this was never really mentioned in any of the Ancient databases." John whispered back.
"I thought the Ancients were usually more tight lipped with their technology?" Ronon said.
"Me too. I mean I know Tollara said that they shared information but I didn't think the Ancients were this generous with a people that they probably would have considered light years behind them. I get the feeling that is yet another piece to this endless puzzle. Look, you guys keep your eyes open. Try and keep track of all you see and when Rodney gets back we are going to compare notes." John said.
"You think we'll ever get the real story out of them?" Danielle asked.
"Not until it suites them." John said as they walked to the Jumper.
When they reached the Jumper John took a quick look around and noticed that so far the Naharran transports were the same design as the Atlantis Jumpers. John decided he needed to use some of that Sheppard charm of his to get some more information.
"So who's piloting this thing?" John asked.
"I am Colonel." Colar said with a smile.
"You? You're a pilot?" John asked.
"Oh yes. I have been a pilot now for sometime. I love flying." Colar said.
And that's when John saw his opportunity.
"I know what you mean. I'm a pilot back on Earth and I absolutely love it. I even pilot a similar ship like this back on Atlantis." John said.
"Really! I did not know that Atlantis had transports like this. I would have enjoyed seeing that while I was there. I have an idea Colonel." Colar said.
Wait for it John thought.
"Would you like to sit in the co-pilot seat while I pilot the transport?" Colar asked.
Jackpot.
"That would be great Colar but I don't want to impose." John said.
"Well usually Councilmemebers Tollara or Dinara would sit up front but I do not think they would mind switching seats. Would either of you mind switching seats with the Colonel?" Colar asked.
"No, please Colonel, enjoy yourself." Dinara said.
"Normally another qualified pilot should be there." Tollara started but was quickly cut off by Dinara.
"Oh stop it Tollara. You know as well as I do that is not a requirement. It is more like a guide line then a rule. Stop being so stubborn and let the Colonel sit with Colar. He is after all a guest and every courtesy should be extended his way." Dinara said.
Tollara didn't appreciate Dinara putting him on the spot like that but she was right. The Colonel was a guest, an unwelcome guest, but a guest nonetheless. "I supposed we can make an exception this one time. Please Colonel.... enjoy."
John couldn't help but notice how the last part of Tollara's sentence sounded forced out. He didn't care. His mission was accomplished and if it pissed Tollara off then he just got bonus points.
As John and Colar talked about flying Teyla, Ronon, and Danielle took their seats right behind Tollara and Dinara. Ronon looked over to Danielle who looked lost in her thoughts. He nudged her arm and gave her an "are you ok?" look. Teyla caught the look between the two and also waited for Danielle's response.
Danielle smiled at both of them and gave them both a thumbs up letting them know she ok. Ronon nodded but Teyla knew better. She saw past the smile and knew Danielle was not alright. Teyla knew that seeing Niya shook up Danielle more than she wanted to admit because she also felt seeing that version of herself was a bit unsettling.
Teyla suddenly felt like eyes were on her. She turned to see that it was Dinara's gaze that she felt. Teyla didn't want to embarrass the councilwoman by pointing out that she was staring at her so just pretended not to notice. Tollara on the other had not chosen to be so gracious.
"Dinara your staring." Tollara said.
Dinara placed her hands on her red cheeks. She couldn't believe she was staring and that she was caught by Tollara of all people.
"Please forgive me. It is not every day that you see the reincarnation of one of your childhood heroes sitting less than a feet from you." Dinara said.
Teyla smiled.
"I understand. I am sure that if our roles were reversed I might have done that same thing." Teyla said.
"There will be others." Tollara said.
Danielle was barely listening to the conversation when she heard Tollara speak.
"What do you mean others?" Danielle asked.
"Others who will stare at you. Dinara is but the first of many who will have the same reaction. They will not mean to but like Dinara said. You are the sisters reborn." Tollara said.
"I see." Danielle said hating the idea of people constantly staring at her.
Teyla turned her head away from the conversation and back towards John and Collar. She wished that she could get a better look outside.
"How far from the city are we?" Teyla asked.
"Not that far away. We should be arriving there shortly. Once we pass that mountain ridge you will be able to see the city towers." Colar said.
"How far away from the city were we?" John asked.
"Pretty far. The hall was built away from the city as a sanctuary for peace and remembrance of the dead. The site the hall stands on was one that the sisters used to come to and meditate. The distance from the city lets people reconnect with the old and feel closer to nature and the Ancestors." Colar said.
Once they crossed the mountain ridge they were greeted by three tall gleaming glass like towers that were shimmering like jewels in the morning sky. They were almost the same design as the towers back on Atlantis.
"Wow. I think you guys might wanna come up here and take a look." John said.
Teyla, Danielle, and Ronon came up to front of the transport and took in the sight before them.
"It's beautiful." Danielle said.
"Yes, it is." Teyla said.
It was like they had gone back in time. The city looked an old Greek or Roman city state come to life. The buildings were brightly colored with tones of reds, browns, and yellows. The only modern structures in the city were the towers that were at the center of city.
"I'll do a quick pass of the city before we go to see the council." Colar said.
Colar slowly flew over the city and pointed out what many of the buildings were to John and his team.
"What's that over there?" Danielle said pointing to a building with an open area.
"That is our training facility." Colar said.
"Most of our military train there and so will the both of you." Tollara chimed in.
"They already have military training." John said.
"I am aware of that Colonel. And although I am sure the training was adequate, the skills they will receive with our people will only enhance and bring out the natural skills every Naharran possesses." Tollara said.
"They're not Naharran." John said.
"Yes, I have heard that before. No matter where they come from Colonel, their true origin is Naharran." Tollara said.
"Uh huh." John said. Then turned back around to look at the city. The last thing he wanted was to hear more about the glory and honor of the Naharrans from Tollara.
"Central, please advise if the landing area by the council chamber is clear." Colar said.
"The area is clear. You may land there ay anytime." Central said.
"Thank you Central. Please advise the council we will be arriving shortly." Tollara said.
"Acknowledged." Central said.
A few moments later Colar landed the transport by the council chambers.
While everyone exited the transport John noticed that Colar had not got up from the pilot's seat. He turned back around to see if there was anything wrong.
"Colar? You alright buddy?" John asked.
Colar turned to John and nodded yes and smiled but there was still a troubled look behind that smile.
"You look like somethings on your mind." John said.
"It is nothing Colonel. I just forgot how free you feel while flying." Colar said.
"I know exactly how you feel. It's like the weight of the world is off your shoulders when you're up there in the clouds. And whatever was bearing down on your soul became lighter the higher you went." John said.
"Yes." Colar said.
"So, then the question here is...what burden needs to be lifted off your shoulders?" John asked.
John looked at Colar and could see that something was really bothering Colar and that he wanted to tell him but something was holding him back.
"It is nothing Colonel. I think that I am just overwhelmed with everything that has happened." Colar said.
John didn't think this was the time to press Colar information so he left it alone.
"A lot has happened and I can see how it can be overwhelming for you. From one pilot to another, if you ever need someone to talk to I'm here." John said.
"Thank Colonel but I assure you I am fine." Colar said.
"The offer still stands if you ever need it." John said.
"Again thank you. Now we must catch up to the others before they think something is wrong." Colar said.
"Lead the way." John smiled.
A few moments later John and Colar caught up to Teyla and the others as they were crossing a long courtyard.
"This place looks like that movie you showed me Sheppard." Ronon said.
"Which one?" Sheppard said.
"The one with the great fighting scenes in that huge arena place. Where the guy was once a general, then a slave, and kills the guy who had his family killed." Ronon said.
"You mean Gladiator?" Sheppard asked .
"Yeah, that one. This place looks like some of the buildings in the movie." Ronon said.
"I thought you said the fight scenes were weak." Sheppard said.
"I said that some of the fighters were weak. I liked the movie. Could have used more blood in it but it was good." Ronon said.
"You two are missing everything." Teyla whispered.
Teyla was enjoying the walk through the courtyard. It was a beautiful sight. There were flowers of every color around and the fragrance from them was simply intoxicating. The gentle breeze that was blowing through courtyard was sending all kinds of smells her way bringing a smile to her face.
Teyla turned to Danielle and saw the look on her face was very different from hers. She looked very uncomfortable while they walked through the courtyard. Teyla slowed her pace down to catch up to Danielle.
"Are you feeling alright?" Teyla asked.
"Yeah. Just nerves. I'll be fine once we get this all over with." Danielle said.
"I feel the same way." Teyla said.
Finally they all arrived at the council chamber doors. As Tollara put his hand on the scanner John walked up behind Teyla and Danielle.
"It's not too late for us to turn back. I still say we can find a solution on Atlantis. What do you say ladies?" John said.
Teyla and Danielle looked at each other and smiled.
" You coming?" Teyla asked as she walked through the doors.
"Right behind you." Danielle said.
"By the Ancients." Miccar said.
He couldn't believe his eyes when the council doors opened and in walked the descendants. All around him he heard other council members also voice their disbelief in what they were seeing.
"Council members, our prayers have been answered. The descendants are here and willing to help us. Please let me introduce you to our saviors." Tollara said.
John didn't like the how Tollara was calling Teyla and Campbell their saviors. The more he heard Tollara talk about them the higher his pedestal for them got and John knew all too well what happens to saviors who are placed to high.
Miccar stepped forward and halted his friends praises after noticing the uneasy looks from Teyla and Danielle.
"Forgive my friends enthusiasm. He like all of us, are amazed and over joyed that you are here. On behalf of the people of Naharra, I welcome you all and thank you for coming to our aid. I wish that we could celebrate your return right now but I'm sure you have been told about the shield failing in the Nittan region. I assure you that when this crisis is over there will be a huge celebration in honor of your return."
"Councilman, thank you but there is really no need for a celebration. We are all just very honored to help." Teyla said hoping somehow her words would got through.
Miccar smiled at Teyla and knew that she was being very gracious like the leader she was. Normally he would never ask someone to do something that they are already apprehensive about but in this case he needed to make his case and hope that they would see his point of view.
"Please hear me out. I know that this is all very overwhelming for the both of you. To be swept away from the things you know to help a people you have never met due to a shared past you never knew about is... madness. It also madness to think that in a time of crisis that we would even think of having a celebration but it is exactly what my people need. They need a sign of hope. They need to see you both and know that all is not lost. I hate to put you both in this position but these are desperate times. I will not ask your decision now. I only ask that you think on it after you have rested and finished the ceremony tonight. I will honor any answer you give. Just please say you will think on it." Miccar said.
"That's a pretty heavy load you just placed on their shoulders." John said. He was pissed that Miccar would even place that type of responsibility on Teyla and Danielle.
"As I said Colonel, these are desperate times. All I ask is that they think on it." Miccar said.
"And save your asses." John said underneath his breath which earned him a glare from Teyla.
"I cannot speak for Danielle but I will think on it." Teyla said.
Miccar turned to Danielle who hadn't said much since coming in the council chambers for her answer.
"You'll have my answer after the ceremony." Danielle said.
"Fair enough. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to return to the evacuation efforts." Miccar said.
"Is there anything we can do to help? Our team has assisted with evacuations on other worlds." Teyla asked.
"Your assistance would be appreciated. The removal of people in the area is going very slowly and we could use more hands. In fact we are starting to grow short of pilots. Colar? We could use your skills." Miccar said.
"I would be honored to help. You should know Councilman that Colonel Sheppard is also a pilot. He flies ships similar to our on Atlantis." Colar said.
"Is this true Colonel? If so we could use your expertise." Miccar said.
"I go wherever my team goes Councilman." John said.
"I thank you Colonel. I will let General Sitarras know that you and you're team will be assisting in the relocation efforts. Before you all leave do you need anything to assist you or do you wish to drop any of your equipment off in your rooms? I see you have weapons with you. There will be no need of them where you are going." Miccar said
"It's part of our regulations where we come from that we have them present with us when we are off world." John said.
"I understand. I will not keep you all any longer. Safe journey to you all." Miccar said.
"Wait! You will need to entered into Central's data base before you leave. Otherwise you will not have access to the city or the transports." Dinara said.
"I can enter them in the system while we are en route to the Nittan region." Colar said.
"Very well. Safe Journey to you all." Dinara said.
As soon as the others left Dinara turned to Miccar.
"You know he will not be happy about their coming." Dinara said.
"Who?" Miccar said.
"Do not play games Miccar. You know exactly who I am talking about." Dinara said.
"You mean the General. I know he will not be but I have to do what is best for our people. Sometimes decisions are not always as black and white as he would like them to be. Either way, the decision is made and they are on their way." Miccar said.
Dinara nodded her head. She knew that things between the General and Miccar were becoming strained. The shield starting to collapse was only making it worse. Dinara hoped that the rift between them would close before it became any worse.