Ace In The Hole
Chapter 7
Sheppard walks slowly back to the chair room to relieve Dr Kusanagi and with every step he takes his mind slips deeper and deeper into his own thoughts. Rodney had asked a simple question why 7AJ? Who picked it? Why out of all the planets in the Pegasus galaxy were they headed for this one?
He had done his research thoroughly of course or so he liked to think, he had checked the data base but Rodney had been right there hadn't been a lot of information there. 7AJ was a small world out on the very western edge of the galaxy the whole sector was barely populated and had few inhabitable worlds so therefore was largely left alone by the Wraith.
Rodney had quickly pointed at the earlier meetings that out of the 4 closest worlds too 7AJ that actually had a stargate, two worlds were civilizations log dead with towns and cities in ruins and radiation levels way above safe levels, a third world was home to a small agricultural settlement with less than 3000 people living there and the forth was a frozen ball of ice locked in a runaway ice age.
A worrying feeling entered Johns mind… they were going to arrive at 7AJ in less than an hour and now he was not sure why?
"Thanks doc … I'll take it from here" He smiles warmly at the petite nervous Japanese scientist.
"Oh thank you colonel… I was beginning to panic, I don't think she has forgiven me yet she keeps spinning the chair even though I am sure she knows it makes me feel sick" Kusanagi sighs as she leaves
"You only blew out a couple relays doc I doubt she would be pissed at you still" Sheppard offers with a smile as he retakes the seat.
He immediately begins to access the database the moment he senses his connection to the city the file on 7AJ is small, it is the fourth planet of six in a small binary system and has 3 relatively small moons, biosphere is stable and climate is temperate considered for colonization but ultimately rejected by the high council because of its distant location.
Sheppard can't help but wonder if he should look at other worlds just in case 7AJ turns out to be unsuitable but he is hit by a sudden wave of panic… he quickly realises that it is coming from Atlantis herself wave after wave of pure fear and panic crash into his mind and he feels tears falling down his own cheeks as his mind tries to desperately figure out what she is trying to tell him, gently he reaches out to calm her nerves then as quickly as the panic comes… its gone.
He opens his eyes and reaches up to wipe the tears that have fallen, crying is something John Sheppard does not do and especially not when someone else is watching him.
"Colonel…. Are you ok?" Lorne asks hesitantly, seeing anyone cry is in itself upsetting but seeing Sheppard cry is something new entirely.
"Sorry Lorne…. Don't panic…. I'm not having a breakdown or anything" He offers his concerned XO a weak smile "It came from Atlantis…. She suddenly panicked"
Lorne is now looking at his CO in total confusion, when Richard Woolsey had asked him to stay in the chair room with Colonel Sheppard he had inwardly kicked himself, being around him was both a curse and a blessing but he tried as always to maintain his professionalism.
"She panicked?"
"I thought about not going to 7AJ … and I think she had what I can only describe as a panic attack…." Sheppard sighs knowing how it sounds, hell even he thought it sounded dumb.
"Well then we better figure out why she wants to go there hadn't we Sir" As soon as Lorne has said it, he realises that was what it was… Atlantis had picked 7AJ, she had shown him the file over and over whilst he reviewed the database…. Rodney had laughed at the time saying it was a glitch… Woolsey suggesting fate but now he knew Atlantis was desperate to go to 7AJ and in less than 20 minutes they would know why.
Rodney is sat next to Chuck both busily tapping away on their respective laptops as Woolsey, Teyla and Ronon come walking out of his office all smiling.
"You're just in time….. Exiting hyperspace in 5…4…3…2…1" Rodney states as the city drops effortlessly into high orbit of the planet, he is just about to tap his radio as various alarms begin to sound.
"Sir…. I'm detecting multiple weapons signatures powering up" Chuck states in his calmest oh my god we're gonna die voice.
"What the…. We are receiving a transmission from the planet… highly encoded and very powerful" Rodney starts tapping at his laptop furiously trying to decode the transmission.
"Sir…. We…. We just replied…" Chuck states looking slightly confused.
"Who we?...that cant be right…" Now Rodney is looking just as equally confused.
"Rodney…RODNEY!" Sheppard's voice suddenly comes over the radio sounding annoyed.
"What is it Colonel in case you haven't noticed we have a problem up here"
"I think we have a problem here as well… I just lost control…the chairs gone off line!" Sheppard barks at his friend.
"Can't have we are changing course as we speak" Rodney is looking at the monitor watching as Atlantis begins to slow down and change its flight path ready to enter the planets atmosphere.
"Well it ain't me" As if to prove his point both he and Lorne enter the control room a moment later.
"What the hell going on …anything?" Rodney looks at Chuck questioningly.
"Got it… we received an ID challenge…. Atlantis herself replied" Chuck states trying to sound calm "Weapons signatures are powering down….. And we are receiving a transmission" Chuck finally sighs.
"On Screen" Woolsey states as everyone in the room releases breath they hadn't realised that they were holding.
The image on screen is of an attractive young man possibly mid twenties short spiked dark hair, dark warm eyes and a pleasant friendly smile.
"Hello John… It's good to finally see you" He bows his head almost adoringly to Colonel Sheppard.
"I'm sorry…. But do I know you?" Sheppard can't help but blush deeper as a few of his friends turn to him and notice that he is blushing under the young mans gaze.
"Yes….You know me…." The young man grins. "You are safe do not be afraid…. You are coming in on auto to dock at the outpost that has been prepared for you…. Dr McKaye?"
"Yes…. There is a crystal marked 7AJEW in the cities DHD bring it with you once you have landed and I will explain everything" The young man nods to the scientist.
"Wait a sec…. who are you?" Sheppard asks once more in an almost demanding tone.
"That's easy …. I …. Am …. Atlantis" The man smiles warmly "I will explain all when you land…. Oh and John…. No I am not a replicator"
"How did you….?" Sheppard stops knowing the answer already.
"I have touched your mind enough times to know how you think" He smirks "See you soon …." The transmission cuts off leaving the whole room staring at the screen with their mouths hanging open.
Rodney's mind is in over drive a thousand and one possibilities racing through his head, he stares at the others who look just as stunned as he is.
"Do you think he could be telling the truth…. I mean he seemed to know us…. and the city is acting weird all of a sudden….oh god"
"Calm down Rodney…. just lets see if we land in one piece first" Sheppard feels a calm rush through him but he is starting to feel wary their luck as been too good so far bad things must be coming.
"We have already entered the atmosphere and are beginning a controlled descent" Chuck states all most marvelling the smoothness of their atmospheric entry, The door to the balcony slides gently open as if inviting them to go out and watch.
"I'm game.…" Sheppard grins as he disappears out onto the balcony followed by Ronon then Lorne then everyone else.
The city is slowly falling her stardrive gently lowering her down closer to the ground several continents can be seen surrounded by pristine blue oceans as the city gently comes closer to the edge of the largest continent a structure that is clearly not natural can be seen.
It is close to the waters edge and from high up looks like a blunt three pointed star with a smaller six pointed star in the centre, but as the city glides lower the shape becomes clearer the central space is the exact same shape as the underside of the city the larger arms are clearly three large landing pads as one of them currently as an Aurora class ship sitting in it, each pad is sunk below ground level so that no view from the city would be obstructed.
As the city comes to a deep stop almost 300 feet from the ground they notice a small tower slightly off centre the city gently rotate in mid air and then begins to drop down allowing the tower on the ground to rise in between the cities main superstructure and its own control tower, Sheppard can see he would have never of landed the city like this there is less than a foot clearance in places he watches in awe.
"You're showing off!" Sheppard finally shouts out loud.
"Who are you speaking too John?" Teyla asks looking slightly bemused.
"I think he's talking to Atlantis" Lorne chuckles, there is a small jolt and suddenly the stardrive can be heard powering down, the top of the newly situated ground tower is less than two floors below and already they can see a walkway extending to meet the city a few levels below.
"Colonel a word in private" Mr Woolsey can't help sound nervous and out of his depth, he watches the others go back inside before he speaks "Be on guard this could all be too good to be true"
"I know….. Believe me I know" Sheppard sighs.
Less than 10 minutes later they are walking across the newly connected docking port into the new tower, its clearly Ancient in design but it looks brand new like no one has hardly even used the place… Sheppard cautiously waves his hand over the door control causing the double doors to open to a large room, he sees there are huge windows all around flooding the room with sunlight, there is a ring of Lantean consoles each with a small monitor in front like the ones in Atlantis's control room.
In the centre of the room is a large circular table with twelve seats around it, a lone figure is standing behind it smiling warmly.
"Hello everyone….and welcome…. Please take a seat" he sits and raises an eyebrow waiting for one of them to move.
"Who are you?... Truth!" John can't help bark at the young man who merely sighs and rolls his eyes.
"I have already told you…. so please drop the attitude and let me explain" He smiles warmly tapping the seat next to him. "Come on John I won't bite" Sheppard blushes at the young man who is almost flirting with him suddenly…. McKaye being McKaye can't help tinkering with his trusty scanner until.
"Erm guys… I'm detecting nanites…. he's a replicator!" Rodney almost squeaks out as Sheppard, Lorne, Ronon and Teyla all point there weapons at him.
"Well this is fun ... I have to say that I'm feeling the love in this room." He sighs staring at John like he is looking into his soul. "OK.… you either give me the crystal…. or this is gonna take a very long time?" he grins looking straight at Sheppard.
"You are not getting this crystal without proof of who you really are and I must warn you if you make any threatening moves we will shoot you" Sheppard tries to sound menacing but if he truly is a replicator he knows the weapons they are carrying will not stop him.
The young man smiles once more giving Sheppard a knowing look and suddenly there is the flash of an Asgard beam and an ARG is sitting on the table in front of them well within Sheppard's reach.
"Make you feel safer?" he grins and taps the seat "Or are we gonna have to arm wrestle?" Sheppard sighs and moves to take a seat at the head of the table opposite the young man picking up the ARG just in case.
"Crystal please Rodney" He asks with a smile.
"It's Ok Rodney.… we gotta trust the city knew what she was doing by bringing us here" Sheppard sighs as Rodney slides the crystal over to the young man who waits in turn until everyone is seated, he offers them a small nod before inserting it into a small slot on the table…. As the lights fade an image appears… an image of a friend they all held dear… Sheppard can't help it as he blurts out.
"Elizabeth!"