Ace In The Hole
Chapter 24
Sheppard runs towards the open gate as Lorne and his team return safely back to Atlantis, Lorne gives him a quick grin as he hands him a small box.
"Right by the dhd hidden under a small pile of rubble Sir"
"Have you looked inside?"
"I had a quick look... our young lieutenant here also had a quick look"
"And?" Sheppard looks at the young man shaking his head before him.
"The device is clearly Ancient in design but as to what its purpose is I am unsure... it looks like the Vanir have modified it slightly" Alex says as he hands him a small crystal. "This was also in the box I believe it contains a message for you sir"
"how am I supposed to see read it?" Sheppard asks suddenly studying the crystal in detail, Alex can't help but roll his eyes before he once more take the crystal back off the colonel and closes his eyes momentarily.
"I have transferred it to my system its waiting for you in the holo-room." Sheppard blushes slightly but quickly recovers his wits.
[Sheppard to Woolsey]
[Go ahead Colonel]
[Meet me at the holoroom...and bring McKaye]
[Understood Colonel... We will be there shortly Woolsey out]
"This better explain what's going on" Rodney gripes as he steps up to the controls of the holo room less than ten minutes later.
"McKaye... just play the damn message" Sheppard huffs, the room darkens as the holographic form of an Asgard appears bathed in light
{I am Kasius of the Vanir... if you are seeing this recording it means that I am most likely dead and my mission has failed} The Asgard bows his head slightly in thought before continuing {I was charged with getting the two younglings in my charge safely to Atlantis... they are the future of our race... innocents and must be protected}
"Why should we after they attacked us?"
"McKaye!... its a recording shush!"
{Actually I am an interactive construct designed too explain our actions and ask for your help}
"Oh... OK then... like Rodney says your people did attack us why should we help... especially as you're people are currently helping the wraith" Sheppard folds his arms defiantly waiting for the holographic Asgard too deny the allegations
{The wraith discovered the colony and caught my ship as it tried to escape... the second they had me and the younglings the others had no choice than to offer complete surrender}
"Why?" Woolsey asks frown lines slowly creasing it forehead
{They are genetically pure and stable...capable of biological reproduction... once they have matured they will be capable of spawning a new Asgard race}
"Spawning?" Sheppard asks looking slightly confused.
"From what we have learned from the Asgard database they are descended from an amphibious like creature... they used to lay eggs in these nutrient rich pools on Halla... and"
"No more please" Sheppard hold his hand up to Rodney before sighing and turning his attention back to the holo graphic Kasius.
"So we are talking your own Adam and Eve her then?"
{In a manner of speaking... of course Asgard are neither male or female... but your analogy fits.}
"Not male or female?" Sheppard looks at Rodney in confusion and is more than a little comforted seeing Woolsey looking as confused as he is.
"Asgard are hermaphrodites" Rodney sighs as Sheppard suddenly looks even more bemused "They are both male and female... all in one"
"Doesn't that get a little confusing?" Sheppard quips trying too rap is mind around the fact. Rodney just shakes his head before returning his attention back to the hologram.
{The Vanir will continue to help the Wraith until the younglings are awakened too ensure their safety and survival... but the devise you have recovered could only be used by someone with the Ancient gene... once it it used too awaken the younglings from their slumber they will know that they are safe in Atlantis}
"Then what?" asks Sheppard finally getting over his shock.
{The remaining Vanir will cease helping the Wraith and enter the Vault}
"I'm sorry... but what is this Vault?" asks Woolsey
{The Vault is the Vanir's version of Valhalla}
"Yeh and Valhalla is?"
{I am sorry I thought that your people had access to the Asgard's database... you do not really think the Asgard committed mass suicide without a way back?}
{The Vault contains a copy of every Vanir consciousness that has lived... much like the Asgard store theirs in Valhalla they are most likely awaiting a time when a race is capable of correcting their mistakes}
"So the Asgard aren't really gone just sleeping in some big hard drive somewhere... cool I guess" Sheppard says with an easy smile.
{That is as accurate an analogy as you could make... to my mission then...I here by place the younglings in your care Colonel John Sheppard}
"Me!" Sheppard is slightly stunned at the idea.
{You are the leader here are you not?... you have the gene of the Ancients?... You are a fair and honest man?} Rodney can't help the slight guffaw at the idea of Sheppard running around after a couple of young Asgard, Sheppard just offers him a glare before once again returning his attention to Kasius.
"There has too be someone more qualified... I'm sure..."
{We have chosen you Colonel... please take the device to the younglings awaken them...end the Wraiths hold over the Vanir... who knows what technology my people have been forced to give them since I made this program... they are stalling as much as possible but the Wraith are not stupid" Kasius sighs in shame "The technology we have gifted the Wraith so far though dangerous can not harm Atlantis itself and should be easily countered with the correct preparation... it was the only way we could think of to let you now that our race was involved... the entire Asgard race Vanir included are counting on your forgiveness and support... protect and nurture these two younglings and our entire species will forever be in your debt} The hologram slowly fades as the lights in the room slowly return to their normal brightness.
"You gonna do it?"
"Do I have a choice?" Sheppard sighs.
"You sure this is safe?"
"How the hell should I know?... if even he doesn't know what it does" Rodney nods towards Alex who is leaning against the infirmary wall watching Jennifer fuss around the two still unconscious young Asgard.
"Like you said too me... sometimes you just have to turn the damn thing on" McKaye grins before taking a step away from Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla both smile at Rodney's quip.
"Colonel if you are unsure of this device should you not get it tested further" Teyla asks offering him a way too save face.
"I'm afraid too say Teyla may have a point Colonel... for all we know the hologram could have been lying and this device is just a ruse to let the Wraith know where we are" Says Woolsey.
"I don't think so... but I don't think Kasius told us everything... I had the feeling that this is gonna be one of those reports that I hate to write" Sheppard holds the small device in his out stretched hand before he has a chance to second guess himself and thinks ON.
At first nothing happens and he begins to worry that he has broken it... but he suddenly begins to feel a slight warmth in the palm of his hand... the top of the device slides open and three small glowing globes roughly the size of a golf ball float gently into the air, two move slowly towards the unconscious Asgard whilst the third rises up to float directly above Sheppard, he glances around the room looking at the faces of those around him as they simply stare at the floating golf ball... god the idea of a floating golf ball sounded dumb how could he put that in his report he wondered a small smile tugging on his lips at the thought... his eyes fall on Alex who is staring in wonder and slight apprehension.
A sudden wave of anxiety washes over him as he realises he can no longer move or speak... the anxiety turns to panic then fear as he sees Alex and Ronon start moving towards him as if they were moving in slow motion their concern clear on their faces... then Sheppard feels pain like a dagger has been plunged deep into the top of his head, if he could speak he knows he would be screaming in agony as the pain grows more and more intense, he feels Alex and Ronon grab his arms as his body suddenly goes limp free from the invisible force restraining him and as he finally falls unconscious he is struck by the thought 'Killed by glowing golf ball' oh the irony of it all.
"What the hell was that?" McKaye asks as Jennifer comes rushing over to the now unconscious Sheppard slumped in Ronons arms
"Grab his legs...let's get him on the bed" Ronon says to Alex who merely nods before taking hold of Sheppards ankles and lifting him on to the free bed near by, Jennifer quickly checks the Colonels vitals before releasing a large sigh.
"I think he's just unconscious"
"Then what did that beam of light do?" Asks Teyla
"Two similar beams shone on the Asgard" Woolsey says trying to sound helpful.
Jennifer walks over to the small Asgard and looks at the monitors that they are still hooked up to "What ever it was meant to do it didn't they are still unresponsive" she walks back over to Sheppard and once more checks his vitals "He's stable and..."
"Dreaming" Alex says gaining everyone's attention "Look at his eye lids indicate that he's in REM sleep... I think he will be fine when he wakes up"
"You said you didn't know what the device was" McKaye says in a slightly accusatory tone.
"I didn't but now that I have seen in action I can say with certainty its some sort of genetic and cognitive scanner... but to what end I am unsure... its been dramatically altered... only time will tell I guess"
"God my head is thumping!"
"Colonel... how are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit in the head with a baseball bat... the usual"
"You gave us all quite a scare" Jennifer sighs as she helps the Colonel sit up in bed and beckons the nearby nurse to bring him a glass of water, Sheppard quickly empties the glass in one go before giving it back to the young nurse with an almost pleading smile.
"Pilots" the nurse grates as she scurries off to refill his glass.
"She loves running around after me doesn't she?" Jennifer just roles her eyes at the Colonel before sticking a needle in his unsuspecting arm.
"Ouch!... little rough there doc"
"Stop winding my staff up then" Jennifer grins before popping a sample tube on the needle in the Colonels arm "Just wanna check your bloods... after all you have been zapped by yet another unknown Ancient device"
"Again" Sheppard chuckles and rubs the back of his neck with his free hand
"What's the last thing you remember Colonel"
"Getting hit in the head by some weird glowy golf ball thingy!" Sheppard suddenly panics and tries to jump off the bed, but Jennifer quickly pushes him back down onto the pillow. "Where are they?"
"Who?"
"The Kids
"Who's Kids?
"My kid's!"
"Colonel?"
"The glowy thing didn't just hit me I saw it hit my kids... oh god where are they?"
"Colonel calm down... what are you talking about" Jennifer tries to calm the distraught and obviously confused Colonel down, Jennifer hears the nurse that is fetching Sheppard's water gasp behind her she spins round too see what has surprised her so much, she looks around too find her standing in the doorway looking into the room with the two young Asgard in.
"Clair... what is it?" the young nurse turns too look at Jennifer wide eyed before looking back into the room, Jennifer quickly walks over towards the door but before she gets there two very human looking boys roughly ten years old come barrelling out the room tugging the bed sheets with them trying to cover themselves up as they charge past Jennifer before diving onto Sheppard, the only word Jennifer's brain manages to register is the first ones that come out their mouths.
"Dad!"