Ace In The Hole

Chapter 8

"Hello…. if you are seeing this message it means our plan as worked and you and the city have arrived safely on 7AJ, when I got stranded here in the past we put a plan into motion… together we tried to give humanity the best head start we could" She smiles warmly but tinged with a little sadness because she would never know who would ultimately be sitting at the table. A part of her had hoped that she would be smiling down at herself but she knew the universe often played a cruel hand when dealing a persons fate.

"All Lantean city ships are sentient and Janus managed to put Atlantis's core into a sort of… for want of a better term back up hard drive he also gave her avatar orders to come to this planet and prepare for the arrival of the expedition…. Janus and I knew that the other Ancients were not planning to right the mistakes they made in this galaxy…. Their hearts were simply not in it…. they have lost a great war and have begun returning to Earth as I speak"

"John…. if you are there…. I know how suspicious you are going to be….. but the young handsome man sitting in front of you truly is Atlantis…. or Alex as I like to call him" John can see him roll his eyes even with the lights lowered "He is your guardian…. protector…. and will be a good friend if you let him…. although he can be a little…. well you'll see…. be safe my friends" The image slowly fades out leaving everyone quiet and still unsure what to say.

"If the cities always referred to as she…. why are you male? Rodney can't help himself if this Alex truly is what and who he is supposed to be, he is now Rodney's new best friend.

"Good question Rodney…. I can call you Rodney?" he offers a smile "As you all know the Lanteans were a stuffy uptight bunch.… bless…. anyway they thought it inappropriate to make our Avatars female so although we are always referred to as she and rightly so I am after all a ship our Avatars were always male.… kinda makes me feel a little gay" Alex chuckles but looks straight into Lorne's eyes with a smile, Lorne can feel a blush rising in his cheeks under Alex's stare and is thankful when he looks away.

"How come you sound normal?" Ronon is curious and a little unsure of all this.

"Please….don't be creeped out" Alex holds his hand up palms out in a mock I surrender pose "You have all been living within my walls and although I" he points to himself "Haven't been with you my core matrix as already been reintegrated and its memory transferred to me…. so I know everything that has happened within my walls since you got here... And suffice it to say I have analysed your speech patterns and habits so I know all of you as well as can be expected."

"Isn't that kinda creepy even for the Ancients?" Sheppard asks

"The Ancients saw me as a tool, a conduit, a means to an end. Janus saw me as an advisor and confidant…. but Elizabeth…. well what a women…. she saw me as a friend…. a true living being…. it truly was refreshing…. she asked me for my help so I in turn came up with this plan and with a little help off Janus here we are"

"So I have to ask…. and please do not take this the wrong way…. I am merely trying to clear this up here.… but who exactly is now in charge now…. You?" Woolsey can't help feel nervous he as just learnt that the city is sentient and completely self aware and is prepared to help them.

"Well…." Alex smiles he likes Richard and although he is a good administrator and diplomat he is not the one he would instinctively follow. "I'm a city Richard…. built to serve.… Not to rule.… You are currently listed as chief administrator of the city but Colonel Sheppard is currently acting High Councillor so he is…. ultimately in charge?" Alex says sheepishly in an almost apologetic tone.

"Oh god…. Can you make ZPM's?" Rodney can't help blurt out excitedly.

"I'm the city Rodney not the database.… you have to understand and realise they are two entirely different things" Alex sighs as he tries to explain "If I were to even attempt to incorporate that much information into my own core matrix it would fry my system…. There is a lot of knowledge in there…. but there's ten times as much crap"

Rodney can't help the confused look he is giving Alex he knows the database is huge but contains crap? "There are logs, reports, theories, memo's, bulletins, and a load of other crap the Ancients were good at recording stuff…. Not so good at removing the mundane crap"

Sheppard can't help but believe that…. unlike most others that held the Ancients on high as a shinning beacon of what mankind should be aspiring to be he had always seen them as stuffy up tight egg heads. He would never forgive them for cutting and running from Pegasus and in fact the only Ancient that he had respected so far had been Chaya Sar at least she had stood and fought for what she had believed in even then she had been banished as a result of it.

"Could do with Google.…" Rodney whines looking forlorn.

"I could access the database and try to find it for you though.… I will probably be able to collate the information you need faster than most…. If that's any use?" Alex winks at Rodney with a smile.

"Kidding?... that would be great" Rodney smiles at last.

"I hate to point this out…. The IOA will go nuts when they realise that A. the city is sentient and B. that it has a replicator avatar running around" Woolsey states staring at Alex.

"I can't change the fact the city is alive its how I was built but as for me I do have nanites but I am flesh and blood for the most part.… 100 percent human…. I was just created and don't age" Alex grins as he continues "The nanites are part of Atlantis they allow me" Alex points his hands at his chest then throws them out wide "To be part of me" Sheppard ponders for a few moments before quickly making his mind up.

"Alex….. You are willing to follow my orders and all the rules of the Atlantis expedition…. right?" It's more of a statement than a question Sheppard asks…. He watches as Alex grins and shakes his head in a nod.

"Do you have any combat training?" Sheppard asks weighing up his options.

"Colonel I have years of experience in hand to hand and advanced weaponry…. Plus I have learnt a lot more from monitoring what has been happening within the city…. I have sensors so have been observing your training drills" Alex offers with a smirk.

"OK…. you're on the team…. Lt. Alex….Weir..." Sheppard grins "You can have a session with Ronon and he will see if you're as good as you think you are"

"You can't be serious…. What about the SGC and the IOA how are we gonna explain this to them?" Woolsey stammers almost shocked at the colonel's idea.

"I will explain it to O'Neill on his next visit…. until then we see how it goes" Sheppard shrugs at Woolsey's annoyance.

"You can't seriously put him on a team.… what if he's injured or killed?... he's to important" Rodney is also worried he doesn't want to loose this new asset he as acquired.

"Ah…. You care already Rodney…. I'm touched" Alex chuckles "Anyway…. I can't die Atlantis would just synthesize me a replacement body and download my consciousness into it…. Cool eh …. Come on McKaye I know you're impressed on that one" Alex goads Rodney playfully.

"OK…. Fine that's kinda cool" Rodney smiles finally.

"Colonel Lorne" Sheppard finally turns to his XO and notices the beginnings of a faint blush before continuing "Is it OK with you if Lt. Weir here joins your team?"

"I guess since Parrish has stayed on Earth we do have a spot…. so he can join my team if he would like to" Evan can't help but swallow nervously this day is not what he was expecting when he got up this morning.

"Colonel Lorne…. I would be honoured to join your team" Alex smiles to Lorne warmly.

"In that case Lorne go take him to see Becket and Kell…. sorry McKaye and then find him some kit…. We need a moment" Sheppard nods to Lorne who stands to leave.

"Yes sir…. Come on lieutenant" Lorne starts walking too the exit.

"Oh Colonel Sheppard…. Sir…. Not that I wanna come off as a smart ass or anything…. But if you want me to leave so you can talk about me…. You do realise that's a bit…. pointless…. because you are kinda sitting in me…. Sir" Alex throws his arms around wildly pointing to the city all around them then turns too leave with Lorne who also as a grin on his face.

"This is a very strange situation indeed" Teyla says finally as all heads left around the table nod in agreement.

"It could be some sort of elaborate hoax I guess…. Last ditch effort by the replicators…. But I'm inclined to think this is for real for once…. and did you see that Lantean ship out there.… it looks like its in pristine condition" Rodney smiles.

"I think its all for real.… the city pulled off a landing that I didn't even know could be done she landed on a dime.… and Elizabeth said we can trust him.… so….I say we see what the next few days bring and hope it doesn't come back to…." Sheppard's voice fades off as Woolsey cuts in.

"Bite us on the ass?"

"Oh Yeh…."

"So Sir…. Are you really ok with this or are you just being polite?... because I won't be upset if you don't want me to join your team colonel" Alex asks with a cheery smile.

"So long as you want to join.… I'm happy to have you…. I mean have you in the team…. oh this feels weird…. that's all" Evan sighs.

"Why?" Alex asks honestly and looking slightly confussed.

"Because you are you…. and you kinda know me fairly intimately" Evan blushes again as his pace slows.

"Don't…." Alex puts his hand tentatively on Lorne's shoulder as they come to a stop. "Colonel…. I sense every single person within these walls and I truly love each and every one of them…. But those with the gene are different…. I can touch their minds…. their souls and feel the passion and love inside…. each and everyone of you is precious to me…. There is nothing you could say or do to change that…. so don't ever feel embarrassed or ashamed of what you think or feel" Alex smiles warmly and Lorne notices a slight change in his eyes he is no longer a carefree young man, he suddenly looks wise beyond his years and that's when it hits him.… the young man standing in front of him is also the ancient city that is surrounding him, the same city that has been their home and keeps them safe.… a lone tear of happiness roles down his cheek as Alex bows slightly and carries on walking.

"Hey Carson…. Colonel Sheppard would like you to give Lt. Weir a medical preferably on the QT" Lorne smiles at the now confused Scot, as Alex hop's up onto the hospital bed smiling.

"I didn't know we had a Lt. Weir…. oh well…. Lie down on the bed then laddy, this machine will just give us a look inside ya make sure ur ok" Carson starts the scanner which passes over Alex methodically…. Of course as soon as he sees the image on the screen Carson starts too panic, "Colonel…. A minute please"

"It's ok Carson we know he has nanites inside him…. just the other tests…. Colonel Sheppard just wants you to clear him for off world missions" Lorne shrugs at Carson who frowns in return.

"Fine I will need a bloods sample" Carson grumbles "So you gonna tell me who he is?"

An hour later Carson and Jennifer come running into Mr Woolsey's office where he and Colonel Sheppard were sat discussing their plans for the coming week, They both look up at the excited looking doctors knowing full well who it is that has got them excited.

"Doctor's…. please come in take a seat…. Lt Weir I assume?" Woolsey smiles as he peers over the top of his glasses and proceeds to shut his office door.

"Who or what is he?... I mean really…. because his tests have thrown up the weirdest results" Jennifer is flipping furiously through pages of data.

"Such as?" Woolsey enquires curiously.

"His DNA for one…. he has almost no junk DNA…. He is as close to physically perfect as you can get…. As far as I know that is impossible…. Even the Ancients when they were on the verge of ascension had almost 90 percent junk DNA…." Jennifer explains excitedly.

"He has immunity to countless diseases, no ailments I can see all in all he's too healthy…. he's even more healthy than Chaya was and she was ascended" Carson adds finally falling silent.

"You can take this one…. I'm gonna check he's settling in ok" Sheppard smirks as he exits the office leaving Woolsey to explain who there newest resident is.

"So how doe's it feel being in the city again after being apart for so long….." Lorne asks as he sits eating lunch with Alex, he watches as Alex looks lovingly over the balcony to the rest of the city beyond.

"It's like I have woken up from a fuzzy dream…. I mean… I have been awake here don't get me wrong…. I mean come on I built this outpost single handed…. It took me almost 8000 years but I was in no rush" Alex chuckles as Evan gasps in shock.

"Eight thousand years…. You look hot for a man of 8000 my friend" Lorne grins as Alex blushes slightly.

"Actually this body is almost 11000 years old…. city avatars have a lifespan of around 50000 give or take a few years" Alex winks at Lorne as he notices who as just entered the room "Don't look …. But Sol's coming" Alex can't help but chuckle at Lorne's blush.

"Thought you weren't trying to make me feel embarrassed?" Lorne frowns at his chuckling companion.

"Oh come you know you love it…. Hello Colonel Sheppard…. care to join us?"

"If you are sure you both don't mind?" Sheppard asks hesitantly.

"I would love for you to join us as I am sure Colonel Lorne would…. Wouldn't you Sir?" Alex looks at Lorne with an expectant grin and a knowing twinkle in his eye.

"Of course you're welcome sir" Lorne smiles at Sheppard until he turns too grab some food.

"Oh you are so gonna get it Lexy" Alex who is taking a sip of water at the time almost chokes.

"You just call me Lexy?" he asks wiping his mouth "But…. But….That's a girls name.…" he manages to blush once more.

"I'm onto you" says Lorne with a grin "I've sat in your chair enough times to know when you're trying to give something a nudge…. Oh I'm onto you" Both Lorne and Alex grin at each other as Sheppard rejoins them.

"So how are you finding settling in lieutenant?" Sheppard asks as he takes a seat next to Lorne.

"It's good too be home…. for it be a home once more…. when the Ancients abandoned me all those years ago…. I have to admit part of me was terrified I would never feel sunlight on my spires again so too speak" Alex sighs sadly "I don't blame the Ancient's they were a great and noble people…. and I guess they had their reasons…. Maybe they knew I would be needed…. They knew from Dr Weir that an expedition from Earth had come to the city once…. Maybe they figured that you would find a way to make it work"

"Maybe they didn't care either way?" Lorne points out tentatively "About the city or about us they were all starting to ascend by then…. so why care about cleaning up their mess in Pegasus when it's beneath them?"

"Cleaning their mess?... you think that's why they left?" Alex asks as though he knows the answer already.

"Well they left the humans here to suffer and die at the hands of the Wraith…. while they ran off to Earth to ascend" Sheppard tries to point out.

"They left because ultimately they also couldn't bring themselves to destroy yet another thing they had themselves created" Alex sighs as Sheppard looks at him slightly confused.

"The Wraith" Lorne offers with a nod.

"You telling me because they had a hand in their creation they couldn't bring themselves to wipe them out" Sheppard say slightly taken aback.

"The Ancients created the Wraith just as they created humanity and though the Wraith's creation was an accident there were many that did not want them eradicated…. a peaceful solution was always the preferred option"

Alex explains sadly "They ancients had already gone down that road with the replicators as you call them…. destroying them on Asuras took a heavy toll on the high council…. after that they decided that they no longer had the stomach for what was ultimately needed"

"They didn't even manage to finish the Asuran's off…. we had too... I can't believe we are in this position because they hadn't got the nerve to do what has to be done" Sheppard is slightly riled and pushes the remains of his lunch away.

"And what's that…. genocide?" Lorne says almost wincing at the word himself.

"No…. it's not genocide…. It's self defence…. It's giving each and every child the right to grow up free of fear and the threat of a gruesome death…. It's ultimately a simple choice…." Sheppard stops and looks deeply into Lorne's eyes and for the briefest of moment catches something in Lorne's face before he relaxes.

"Well.… what simple choice?" He asks finally.

"Its either us or them…. The Ancients might not of liked that stark choice but it's what it comes down to in the end" Sheppard sighs

"Guess we have a fight on our hands then" a weak smile plays across Lorne's face as Sheppard nods in agreement.