Ace In The Hole
Chapter 66
"Camille, come, please take a seat, it's good to see you again" Although Willis smiles, she quickly notes that his smile shows little actual warmth in fact his whole posture screams arrogance and self importance.
"Its good to see you to Adrian" she smiles back warmly even though she knows that he has probably realized that it is a blatant and obvious attempt to charm him but hell it's worth a try "Congratulations on the new position"
"It has its rewards" He smirks glancing out of the huge window of his office in the heart of New York city.
"So I see"
"I try to use this office as often as I can, being in Avalon all the time is so... Tiring" he sighs
"Yes I've heard that the second city is now safely back on Earth" she smiles casually gauging his expression.
"It will suffice for now" he sighs the tension in his shoulders clearly visible "I assume Colonel Lorne told you?"
"Yes he did, of course that was just before he was arrested at gun point, he was not happy about being detained" she smiles but her demeanor changes with a knowing smirk "What's going on?"
"Camille" a look of suspicion suddenly graces his features "Do you really think that I am going to trust you just like that, after being out of the game for so long"
"You know me, I think you know my reputation well enough to know that I am committed to what has to be done" she shrugs like she is not bothered either way, the ploy works and Wallis seems to relax slightly.
"The lives and welfare of billions people here on Earth have been put in my care"
"So why are you so concerned about what is happening in Pegasus? It doesn't really matter to us"
"That is because you are missing the big picture" he sighs his smile finally disappearing "Earth is the first world, I will not have this world bow and scrape to Sheppard and his rag tag group of... farmers and reprobates"
"Bow down?" she can't help but frown "have they made threats?"
"Not yet, but my advisor's assure me that it will happen" he skims a folder across the desk to her, "They have control over Ancient ship yards, construction facilities, the list goes on"
"Don't you think all this sounds a little paranoid" she smiles flicking through countless reports "From what I understand of Colonel Sheppard he may be prone to breaking the rules a little but I doubt he would even consider Earth a possible enemy, after all this is still his home and we are allies"
"If we are allies then why don't they trust us?"
"What do you mean?"
"Earth is currently one of the most heavily defended worlds in the galaxy, relocating the industrial technology here would be better for all, it would safeguard it against the Wraith"
"Have you actually spoken to them?"
"Colonel Sheppard was instructed to facilitate Atlantis' membership into the Tau'ri Alliance, he refused, basically threatening us to back off, he sees us as no more than common thieves!" Wallis is clearly incensed.
"Adrian, if you actually sat down and thrashed this all out you would see that it is all probably all a misunderstanding" she sighs "Does O'Neill agree with you?" she notes the look of distaste that flashes in his eyes, knowing that Wallis was ex navy she had known for a long time that he had harbored a deep resentment for the heroic air force officer, as the list of O'Neills heroics had grown so to had the hatred he bore.
"Thankfully O'Neill has become more and more distant of late, many on the Council have been quietly pushing for his removal from the office" he smirks "Unfortunately that idiot Hayes seems enamored with him so..."
"So, how was disclosure finally received?" she says airily trying to lighten the heavy tone of the conversation.
"A few riots broke out here and there but on the whole nothing major" he sighs
"You don't sound happy about that?"
"Big world in peril disasters are easier to deal with than the slow onward role of progress" he says cryptically before sighing deeply "The world is on the brink of another financial meltdown, industry is demanding technology be released at a faster rate than the scientists advise it is safe to do so, the banks are wary of lending money in the fear that something new will come out to ruin their profit margins, religious groups are outraged at the implications that life may not have even begun on this world, and that the SGC now believes that man created man"
"The Ancients merely recreated man" she says out loud before catching herself.
"That is not what it says in my bible!" he glares causing Camille to wince, coming from Mississippi the man had strong and deep rooted religious beliefs, She remains silent waiting patiently but inwardly chastising herself for the stupid mistake the time in suspended animation has clearly made her a little rusty.
"Destiny must be brought back to Earth for study" he says catching her off guard momentarily at the sudden change of topic, upon seeing her confused frown he continues "Plans had been drawn up to get you all home but Sheppard" he growls "pulled this stunt against our explicit orders I might add"
"From what they have accomplished it is hardly a stunt"
"We want you to ensure their ship is brought back here for study on the Lunar research station"
"Is all this really necessary when you can just ask them for the designs" frustration overriding her usual reserved non committal approach.
"It is only a matter of time until Pegasus turns against us, aliens and rouge groups have been given far to much power and influence, did you know they are even working with the Genii?" he shakes his head in clear disgust "policy decisions being made there no longer represent our best interests, the councils advisor's believe it prudent that we hope for the best but plan for the worst"
"And what if you are wrong Adrian?" she asks leaning forward clearly alarmed at what she is hearing "What if your advisor's are reading into things that simply aren't there?"
The man just stares at her impassibly devout in his belief "It was good seeing you Camille, I look forward to your return"
"We have to continue with the mission!" barks Rush as Camille enters the bridge.
"Welcome back" upon seeing her Young lets out a small sigh, completely ignoring the irate scientists rant "Problems?"
"Later?" she says whilst nodding towards the ranting scientist, she knows from experience that Rush is not to be completely trusted, his determination to solve a problem left behind by the Ancients was bordering on the obsessive.
Young nods for her to go "Go get some food, the replicator is great at making steaks" he grins.
"You know you can't call it that" she says with a wry smile as she leaves.
"Colonel, Destiny's mission could be the biggest discovery mankind will ever make, we have a duty..."
"To get these people home!" Young barks "Rush look around you" he throws his arms wide indicating the gleaming fully repaired bridge.
"My point exactly" Rush says with a self-righteous smirk "Thanks to the repairs Destiny is now more than capable of finishing her mission"
"And she will, one day"
"But not today?" Rush says with a sneer causing Young to smile
"T.J. And Dr Park need proper medical care, Dr Beckett doesn't have the equipment he needs here to treat them properly" before Young can continue another voice butts in causing Rush to jump
"Destiny also needs to be thoroughly examined and her database copied for study" Cairns says holding his hand out towards Rush with a smile, who shakes hands with the younger scientist grudgingly.
"The signal that the Ancients discovered.."
"Can wait" Cairns grins brushing past the older scientist "The shield crystals that Destiny uses need to be examined properly" Cairns says bringing up Destiny's schematics as Lorne and Eli enter the bridge "not to mention the power distribution system"
"Colonel" Lorne says catching Young's attention "Camille has warned Dr Beckett that it would probably be best if you were present when Sgt. Greer is revived"
"Might be for the best" he grins, it never failed to amaze the colonel just how wide spread and fearsome Greer's reputation was "I'll get down there right away" as he makes for the door Lt. Scott rounds the corner smiling.
"You'd better run Sir, they're waking..."
"I know" he says as he bolts off down the corridor.
"Colonel Lorne Is it?" Rush asks glancing at Eli
"Lt. Colonel actually" Lorne shrugs dropping down into the vacated captains seat.
"Lt. Colonel" Rush says summoning up all his remaining reserves of pleasantry "Destiny was sent out to answer a question from the dawn of time"
As Lorne listens to the slimy scientist he can't prevent a bemused half smile from slowly slipping onto his face. In his many years he had worked for the Stargate program he had met many scientists and though most were raving ego maniacs some had valid reasons to be, the likes of Carter and McKay had saved the day many a time and earned their due respect.
However as far as Lorne can see, Rush may be a hard working scientist but his overbearing smug attitude was not matched by his deeds, and his lack of even the most basic compassion for others clearly set him apart from his piers, as Lorne listened to the scientist prattle on he could sense his desire to have things all his own way coming off him in waves and slowly he came to the conclusion that he did not think the man in front of him had any redeeming qualities what so ever.
"Dr Rush!" Lorne snaps catching the scientist off guard "There is a pretty good chance that once Destiny has been examined and is finally upgraded and brought up to modern standards she will be sent back out again with a full crew"
"She was built for long range exploration after all" Cairns adds with a smirk.
"But she is here! Now!"
"And once she is fitted with a hyperdrive to compliment her slipstream drives, she can be back here in again within 42 days" Cairns says like he is talking to a child.
"I've gone over the Math involved and it looks like Hyperslip is the way the forward, I could be home for christmas" Eli adds cheerily whilst flicking through Destiny's blueprints before glancing at Cairns "How did you get these?"
"A friend" Cairns grins cryptically
"To much as been sacrificed to go back now" Rush says menacingly clearly not liking the idea of returning to Earth "The Ancients that built this ship would want her mission to continue" he says smugly.
"Wow you really are full of yourself aren't you doctor" Lorne says startling Rush with his bluntness "So you think you're qualified to know what Destiny's designer would want?"
"Colonel no offence but you're military, the complexities of the universe are probably out of your league"
"Alex is gonna love this guy" Cairns says with a grin never taking his eyes off the screen in front of him, the comment causes Lorne to smile.
"Who's Alex?" Lt. Scott asks seconds before Eli asks the same question.
"A friend of ours back in Atlantis" Lorne says glancing at Cairns who just nods at the unsaid instruction.
"Dr Rush, the people here were never meant to be here in the first place, they didn't sign on for this mission and they sure as hell don't deserve it, they need to go home, now if you are so concerned about staying here I'm sure we should be able to find a nice quiet lonely planet out here for you to settle down on" Lorne tilts his head slightly examining him closely before smiling "If that is not to your liking I suggest you start working on your application to join Destiny's permanent crew, we wouldn't want to risk you being left behind"
Rush turns on his heels and makes his way out of the bridge without saying another word.
"He is definitely a strange one!" Cairns chuckles causing Eli and Lt. Scott to nod.
"Are you sure?"
"I've known Adrian a long time Colonel" Camille sighs "The political fall out because of disclosure was never really going to be the biggest problem Earth would face, its dealing with the practicalities that comes after that that's the biggest challenge" She takes a sip of her coffee and shuffles to get more comfortable "Think about it, over night all of Earth's best and most advanced technology has just been made redundant, who is going to want to buy a car when they may be able to buy a flying car next week or a space ship the week after that" she shrugs "who wants to buy a house in Nantucket when you may be able to buy one on Mars the day after"
"So what's this got to do with Pegasus?" Young sighs
"From what I can put together, if you take Colonel Lorne and Dr Cairns at their word it paints a clear picture, Pegasus has a smaller population, there are no big companies no one depending on jobs, I mean think about it there isn't even any such thing as money"
"You're saying that it's the simplistic nature of the Pegasus inhabitants that is making it easier for them to get better organised?"
Camille merely nods "If say for instance Colonel Sheppard wanted to give oh I don't know, planet Bob"
"Planet Bob?" he grins
"If Colonel Sheppard wanted to give planet Bob, Puddle Jumpers he can, but if you released Puddle Jumpers on Earth..."
"The aviation industry would not be to happy about it" he guesses
"Aviation, Automotive, hell even the submarine industry would probably collapse over night, Earth is having to take it very slowly and think every single step through thoroughly...its the practicalities of having a fully developed market economy that is the key difference"
"Wallis and the council are scared" Everett guesses causing Camille to nod and offer a small smile "All they see is a multi-planetary alliance forming where technology is pushing forward at a rapid pace"
"They see Pegasus as a potential threat"
"See that is just ridiculous" Everett sighs
"As a third party looking in from the outside, I totally agree with you and from reading between the lines of what Adrian didn't say, I think that O'Neill and the SGC as a whole disagree with the council's concerns"
"So where does all this leave us?" Everett sighs "I'll be damned if I am gonna turn Lorne and the others over to Wallis and his buddies just because they are being ridiculous, they risked their lives getting here just to help us"
"Yes they did"
"So what are we going to do?"
Camille sighs deeply "For once Colonel I'm not exactly sure what we should do"