Ace In The Hole
Chapter 40
"The use of that technology is strictly controlled Colonel" Malek says with only a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.
"And the fact that we are willing to put the full resources of the city into bringing your queen back is not enough to persuade you?" Sheppard says annoyed at being rebuffed.
"In the past the return of our beloved queen Egeria would have been more than enough for us... but over the past few years the defeat of the Goa'uld has given my people chance to reflect... they have begun to accept that our time is coming to an end and that it may indeed be time for change" Malek sighs looking to Anise
"Our people have begun considering breeding..." Anise says "Blending with humans completely... creating a race of Harcesis"
"I thought that would be dangerous?" Carson says gaining Anise's attention "The Goa'uld knowledge is to great for a human"
"That is why our scientists have been working on a way to block out the Goa'uld part of our memories... yet leave the Tok'ra intact" Malek says with a sigh.
"Is that even possible?" Jennifer asks leaning forward.
"Perhaps... the Ancients had a lot of research into selective memory transference... if we could have access to that research" Malek asks hesitantly "Our species brought a lot of harm to the galaxy... we wish to leave a better legacy behind"
Sheppard nods in agreement "We will allow full access to Avalon's data base and provide you with any help we can"
Malek frowns "I thought that we were on Atlantis?" Sheppard just smirks as the window blinds behind them begin to rise, Avalon is sitting in the bay, evening sunlight glistening off her many tall spires.
"She is heading to Earth in a few hours... as part of our agreement with Earth they must honour any deal struck here" Sheppard smiles noting Davies slightly annoyed look.
"Then we have a deal and you have our permission to use our technology in Pegasus in exchange for access to the Ancients research Colonel Sheppard" Anise says glancing at Malek who just nods slowly.
"Colonel" Malek waits for Sheppard to look at him "If its not to much trouble I would really like that tour of the city before we have to leave?" Sheppard just nods and smiles warmly.
"That would be my honour"
"So"
"So" Elizabeth replies.
"Don't say good bye" Sheppard sighs pulling Elizabeth into a tight hug.
"John... I'm only going to Earth" Elizabeth chuckles but Sheppard just tightens his grip on her.
"We still need you... I need you" he pulls back eyes suddenly full of worry "What if I screw this all up?"
"Colonel Sheppard" She glares at him with a small smile on her face still "Do you even know how to screw up?" she smiles broadly and kisses him on the forehead gently "Trust yourself... and those around you... you have good people all around you..." She looks at him for a moment unsure as to what she should say to him.
"What?"
"Alex was right" she smiles at his confusion "We are here to guide not to lead... you already know what must be done... so do it" She kisses him on the forehead and smiles warmly before disappearing in a flash of light.
"Show off" Sheppard grins.
"I'm reading midways IDC" Chuck says.
"Lower the shield" Sheppard smiles as SG1 and Carter step through the gate.
"Welcome back to Atlantis" Sheppard says walking down the stairs, Sam steps forward and offers him a big hug.
"We just wish we had longer to catch up" Sam says beaming a smile at him "Dad?" Sheppard just nods and glances up to the balcony where Mark and Matthew are quietly standing either side of Evan.
"Kid's... come say hi..." Sheppard roles his eyes as they come running.
"Uncle Cam are you gonna fly Avalon?" Mark asks excitedly.
"Dad can we race him in Atlantis" Matthew adds bouncing even more excited than his brother at the thought of the two cities racing.
"Wow..." Sam grins "They really are you"
"Auntie Sam... have you seen Dads new gun?... it's so cool" Mark says suddenly shifting his attention catching her off guard.
"No... I've heard about it though" Sam smiles.
"Auntie Vala wanna play on my xbox with me again" Vala just rubs the young boys head playfully.
"Matthew have you even beaten my high score yet?"
"No..." he says sullenly
"Then there is no reason to humiliate yourself any further is there... your father may play xbox like an aged granny" she winks at Sheppard "But I am still the master" She grins at his obstinate I'll beat that damn score someday look "That is of course until you are yourself a mighty warrior"
"What have you been playing?" Sheppard glances a Matt "Mass Effect 3 she's really really good at it" he looks at Vala in awe causing everyone to smile.
"How are the preparations going?" Sheppard asks.
"Good" Sam says with a smile "The announcement will be made by the President 10:00 tomorrow"
Sheppard just sucks a deep breath in slowly, "Well she's gassed and ready to go and" Sheppard stops and glances at his kids who are just giggling "What?"
"You just said Aunt Elizabeth was full of gas" Mark chuckles, Sheppard merely rolls his eyes at him.
"I meant figuratively... Evan! Have a word with your son!"
"Oh my son now I see" Evan grins.
SG1 just look on grinning as Sheppard and Lorne bicker playfully.
"Like I said before being interrupted" He glares playfully at the two smiling boys "The cities ready to go... and the new weapons... which were supposed to be a surprise Mark!" he narrows his eyes at him and shakes his head causing the boy to smile a beaming smile "Are in the armoury... we have had our people using them continually for 3 months now with not one problem"
"Thank you" Sam nod's and smiles at Mark.
"Well as much as we would like to stay we are on a deadline... Sam" Mitchell says gaining her attention.
"He's right I'm afraid" she sighs "The new shield crystals are being grown so it shouldn't be long until..." Sheppard just smiles at her and nods.
"Good Luck" Sheppard says before looking up to the control room above "Chuck... SG1 is ready to get going"
No sooner have the words left his mouth than they disappear in the light of a transporter beam, Sheppard sighs and turns to everyone left... "Shall we watch from the balcony?"
"Now your talking" Evan grins bolting up the stairs their two sons chasing after him chuckling, Sheppard can't help but grin.
"Careful Colonel" Teyla smiles warmly as she hooks her arm in his "You almost look content" her smile becomes a grin at seeing the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You know what Teyla" he looks her in the eye "I think I am"
As they step outside they can hear Avalon's stardrive powering up from across the water, the deep rumble getting gradually louder until slowly at first the city begins to rise into the air... mist off the surface of the ocean begins to swirl as steadily she climbs, as she clears one hundred feet a small swirl of glowing lights come gently fluttering down.
A second latter the swirling globes burst into a shower of firework's illuminating the night sky just as Avalon blasts upwards, Sheppard grins as he realises that it is a parting gift from Elizabeth, her way of reminding him that this is a time for joy not sadness, deciding its time to be bold he places his hand on top of Evans on the rail, Evan just glances at him surprised for a few seconds before returning his attention to the night sky a smile forming on his face as they watch as Avalon fades from view.
Mitchell smiles to himself as he feels rather than sees Elizabeth enter the chair control room he opens his eyes taking in her calm reassuring gaze.
"Checking up on me doc?" Mitchell grins when he sees Elizabeth's eyebrow rise slightly.
"Should I have to?" she smiles but doesn't wait for an answer before continuing "I thought that you should know that our final destination has still not been agreed on" Elizabeth can't hide the twinkle in her eyes.
"Why am I not surprised" Mitchell sighs as Sam and Vala enter the room.
"I still can not see the problem with our original chosen landing site" Vala says shrugging to Mitchell in confusion.
"On Earth its never that simple" Sam says whilst glancing to Elizabeth for help, Elizabeth for her part merely smiles and offers the briefest of nods before speaking.
"Nations may be working together but old rivalries remain I'm afraid, The U.K, France and China feel it would send a better signal to the world if Avalon was placed somewhere other than within the U.S.A." Sam smiles a small thank you but sighs when Vala just groans.
"But are they not all on the same side now? Your world seems to make things very difficult for itself" Vala huffs before she suddenly takes interest in the state of her nails.
"Well now that Lake Michigan is out they better give a replacement some time soon" Mitchell grins "Otherwise I'm gonna land her..."
"You can't land on the Seven Seas Lagoon Cam... the city won't fit" Sam sighs shaking her head Mitchell just grins.
"Well if it ain't at Disney World I swear I'll squeeze her down in Trinity Bay and then Huston really will have a problem" Cam just shuts his eyes pretending to concentrate leaving Sam shaking her head with a grin.
"I blame you for this" O'Neill sighs as Daniel just looks over the top of his glasses at him before returning his attention to the pile of papers on the desk in front of him "You're our man Daniel... our man on the inside for gods sake... the commute time alone... oyyy"
"Jack" Daniel sighs before finally dropping the manuscript he was trying to read "You beam to almost every meeting you go to... when was the last time you even caught a plane?"
"So not the point..."
"The council decided that the city needed to be located in a country that was on good terms with everyone... politically speaking" Daniel smiles.
"New Zealand!" Jack sighs "Sheep Daniel... its a country full of sheep and I mean that literary... that wasn't a joke!"
"Jack!" Daniel sighs for the umpteenth time "It's a stable democracy with close ties to both the U.K and U.S.A and better still has never had any quarrels or disagreements with any other world powers... China and Russia already have excellent relations with them... so really I cant see the problem"
"Its the other side of the fricking world... I just got settled in D.C... The commute to Chicago was gonna be a pain... but Washington to Christchurch it's 9000 miles" O'Neill grimaces.
"You beam everywhere!" Daniel says but sighs when he notices the slight grin forming on O'Neills face. "No way!"
"What?" O'Neill doe's his best attempt to look innocent but Daniel sees through it right away.
"You already knew" It was a statement not a question, Jack just offers him his best all knowing smile.
"I had a hunch the Chicago idea wouldn't fly... my next bet was either Australia or New Zealand" Jack shrugs once more trying to look dumb.
"They have a no nuclear policy" Daniel raises his eyebrows
"The city has no nukes... as far as I'm aware" O'Neill smirks "Pegasus Bay... you have to admit its a little ironic.
"Destined almost?" Daniel raises his eyebrows.
"Nah!" O'Neill says with a wave of his hand before tapping the radio on his desk "O'Neill to Daedalus"
[Go ahead sir]
"We're ready" Daniel and Jack both smirk before disappearing in a shower of white light.