Say Goodbye to Yesterday
Dragonlots aka Dana Bell
Chapter 6
"How was New York?" Colonel Sheppard asked when Marari stuck her head in his office.
"You've added some art work." She pointed at the movie posters on the wall. He'd framed three, The Last Starfighter, Star Wars and Back to the Future, the latter of which Rodney had a few things to say about the inaccuracy of the science.
"Yeah." John grinned. She wondered why his black hair always looked like he'd forgotten to comb it. "You didn't answer my question."
Wordlessly she showed him her ring. He whistled. "Congratulations."
"Thanks. I'd appreciate it if you didn't make a big deal out of it."
"You know me."
"You're right I do." She changed the subject. "I've heard Dr. Jackson is back."
"His normal lab. Has a chalkboard up and I don't think he slept last night."
"Shouldn't let him get away with that."
"I have a whole city full of brilliant scientists, linguists and about any other specialty you can name. I can't baby sit them all."
"And working all hours accomplishes more than keeping the normal nine to five?"
"Most get so wrapped up in their own work I think sometimes they forget to eat."
"They do." Marari thought of the number of times she'd brought Benton food while he worked in his lab. He always seemed so startled, as if the hours had no meaning. "Guess I'd better head down and see if he needs any help."
"Thought your cousin needed your help this week."
She shook her head. "The senate is taking a few extra days before they meet again. When I spoke to him this morning, he was reading bills and deciding what to vote for."
"Has he decided if he's going to run for president?"
"Still thinking. A few polls we've run indicate he'd probably get elected, even if he runs on a third party ticket." She laughed. "He wants to name his party The Sons of Liberty." She knew why and thought it a good compliment to men who had founded the United States.
"Interesting choice."
"You have no idea." She ducked out, heading down the metal stairs toward the main control room. Rodney and Zelinka had their laptops open, cross referencing, whatever they were working on. She waved at them both and took the main hallway leading toward the lab area. Most of the doors were open with scientists working on projects, napping or loudly discussing and in some cases arguing over their ideas.
At Daniel Jackson's lab, she lightly knocked before entering. He glanced at her, a book in one hand and a piece of chalk in the other. She glanced at what he was transcribing, realizing he still hadn't completed the translation he'd sent to her and Benton a few weeks ago.
"That's wrong," she said, picking up chalk and crossing out what he'd written. "This should be Ring of the Lords."
"How do you know?" He put the book down on his desk and came to stare at the change.
"Not sure. Like you this seems familiar, yet I don't know why."
"It's similar to ancient Egyptian, but there are twists and odd symbols."
"Wait a minute," something clicked in her memory. "My parents had a book with this writing in it."
"What? That's not possible. We found this on PX-1138. Natives said strangers left it there before they continued on a long journey."
Her hand started writing a line below what Daniel had transcribed. Her words didn't quite mesh with his original translation.
In the days long ago before the star began its death throws, we came here through the Ring of the Lords. We found this to be a good world, one of which to build our great cities and for our people to grow.
"Not grow," she murmured. Marari frowned and looked at it again. It was like her mind translated it into another language before she could figure it out in English.
Flourish. This mighty world we call Kobol, the jewel of what it means to be human.
"That's more than I figured out." Daniel watched her, but made no attempt to stop her. She felt sorry for him as this was supposed to be his area of expertise.
In time we once again reached for the stars, finding more worlds to settle our people. When the dark times came, twelve of our tribes resettled on the planets we discovered while the thirteenth…
Could she possibly be reading this right?
while the thirteenth returned along the path we'd originally come, first back to the city below the waves and then to Earth.
"Daniel," she put the chalk down. "Are they talking about Atlantis?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Barnabas slowly walked across the plaza, wondering what his old friend George Washington would have thought about a monument raised in his honor. The tall thin building reflected in the long pool along with the clear blue sky. Near the Potomac stood the one dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, He would have been thrilled to have one dedicated to him. He'd always had a bit of an ego.
Too bad they hadn't honored John Adams. He'd been a good man with a heart to raise their newly created country and hope for a bright strong future. As for Benjamin Franklin, well, the man had been brilliant enough to rival scientists like Dr. Rodney McKay or Dr. Benton Quest and even Dr. Samantha Carter.
Thinking of Dr. Quest, Barnabas stopped, watching the various people hurrying to their destinations and not taking a moment to enjoy the sense of history before them, he wasn't sure how he felt about his cousin's engagement. They hadn't officially announced it yet, although they could have at Tony Starks New Year's Eve party, an event he'd missed because of a council meeting at Julian Luna's in San Francisco.
Julian was the Kindred prince of the city, with a peace treaty with the Halliwell witches to prevent the death of clam members.** The Charmed Ones had proven deadly to many of the supernatural creatures who had tried to impose their will on or murder mortals. He wished they were in DC to deal with the one influencing the president. He didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to protect the SGC or even his own life.
His mind drifted back to the council meeting. Not much had been accomplished since most had wanted to be out celebrating. The main question had been whether or not Barnabas should run for president. The council had been split. They decided to leave the choice in his hands.
Question was - did he really want to run and risk exposing the world of the undead? He'd be in the news constantly, having his picture taken, and his every move would be watched carefully. Difficult to continue the masquerade as the Kindred called it with so many eyes watching him.
Perhaps the real question should have been, would him being elected president really accomplish their one goal, keep humanity alive so the vampires survived?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Benton glanced at the lab door, half expecting Marari to come through it with a meal or to check on him. His home seemed empty without her and even his son's wanted to know when she'd return. He'd had to explain several times that she had gone back to work and would be away for several weeks.
With a sigh, he put down the item he'd been building. It joined the scattered parts on the metal counter. Who was he kidding? He missed the woman who had become a part of their lives in a few short weeks to the point he couldn't remember a time when she hadn't been there.
He heard a beep and checked his phone. The text message read, Get on Skype, my love.
Quickly he signed into his account and connected with Marari. Benton didn't recognize the silver blue wall behind her and wondered about the project location. "Hey, Handsome," she greeted.
"Hi, beautiful Lady," he returned, delighted to hear from her. "How's your day?"
"Not bad. I decided to stay at the base and save myself the thirty minute drive."
At least he had some idea how long she drove to work. He did know the location of the various military bases and there wasn't one near Collinsport. "How's Prim?"
She laughed. "A bit cranky. I think she misses Bandit."
"He keeps looking for her."
"Well, at least we know they might get along." She shifted her screen so he could partially see out an open balcony door. Briefly he glimpsed glittering spirals, before the endless deep blue ocean and lighter tinted sky filled the back ground. "Great view, huh?"
"It is." He wanted to see what she hadn't shown him. "You must be right on the coast."
"Uh, sort of." She bit her lip. "Sorry, can't tell you anything else. I keep pushing General O'Neill about clearance for you, yet whatever happened between you two-"
"Which is none of your concern," he snapped.
"We need your expertise here, so yes, it is."
"Stay out of it, Marari."
"That's what the general told me."
"I'm surprised you didn't find it in the files on my family."
"Do you have any idea how much of it was redacted and how we had to fight with I-1 just to get what we needed to safeguard you and your family?" She shook her head, obviously irritated. "I've never seen Mattie so angry."
He blinked, her words sinking in and making an odd sense. Race had arranged security for a number of visits and appearances. He couldn't imagine what the Director of the Phoenix Foundation, and her team, might have had to go through to keep all the visiting scientists safe. "I guess I hadn't thought about it."
"Probably not." She huffed. "Sorry. I'd just hoped you'd realized how much I kept to myself about all of you."
"I appreciate it." He'd supposed they'd have a fight eventually, but hadn't realized it would be over something so trivial. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"I pushed." She moved away and the ocean view vanished. "I'm just upset because O'Neill won't clear you."
"Might take a long time."
"I'll leave it in your hands. Oh," she snapped her fingers. "Daniel and I might have figured out a translation." Marari frowned. "Weird thing was, my mind had to translate it into another language before I could write it in English."
"That's unusual."
"I'll say." She moved away, but he could see her pacing. "The language seemed really familiar. Like I'd seen it before. My parents," she stopped. "Let's just say they had a book I would swear was written with the same symbols."
"Do they still have it?" He felt excited about the prospect.
"My parents are dead and our childhood home gone, along with everything we owned."
He hesitated before asking, not sure how much she'd share with him. "What happened?"
"Not exactly sure." She sat down so he could see her face again. "I was away at college. What I was told is that the house shook and exploded."
"It must have been difficult." His mind supplied possible causes. A gas explosion being the best explanation.
"Yeah. Luckily, our Collins cousins found out and had my siblings come live with them. My youngest brother called it a haunted old house no one should ever live in." She glanced down. "Each made their get-away when they graduated high school."
"Any idea where they are now?" He knew his question pried and wondered if she'd tell him.
"Both my brothers went to France and are living in some small countryside town. My sisters," she paused. "One married and has a family and lives in Toronto, the other decided she wanted to do humanitarian work and last I heard she served in Africa somewhere."
"At least you know they're all right." He couldn't imagine not spending time or communicating with his family. Part of him hoped they kept the tight bond they currently had.
"Bad part is my parents never got the chance to share whatever family secret, which had been passed down from their parents to them and theirs before that, and so forth. So I'll, we'll, never know what it was."
"Knowing where you come from is important. Is there any way at all for you to find out?"
"Not unless I can track down my eccentric crazy aunt who only showed up when she needed a free place to stay. Not even sure what her name is. She kept changing it."
Might be a way for him to find out, if Marari would tell him where she'd grown up. He started to ask when he realized he heard a voice in the background.
"Apologize for interrupting, Ms. Pryor. Dr. McKay found something you might want to see."
"Thanks, Jake." Her attention returned to him. "Sorry, Benton. We just discovered something important."
He wished he didn't understand, but he'd done the same to Rachelle more times than he could remember. "We'll talk tomorrow."
"Of course, we will." She kissed two fingers and placed them on the screen. "Love you."
"Love you," he replied, just before the screen went dark. Sitting back in his chair he cursed silently. A few more minutes and he might have been able to find out more about his future wife.
"Hungry, Doc?" Race called from the door.
"Yes." Benton shut down the computer. "What's for dinner?"
"No idea. The kids cooked."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Marari had only been in the archives once before on her initial tour of the city. Dr. Carson Becket had originally discovered it when they'd found the city submerged in the Pegasus galaxy. Many consulted the records, but not, she suspected, as much as they probably should. Most seemed to like to stumble over discoveries.
Rodney and Daniel both stood there gazing at a star map hovering over their heads. Twelve worlds circled a sun, with many moons orbiting them. Farther away another appeared with a blinking star and an area of darkness leading to it.
"How'd you find this?" she asked.
"Good. They found you." Rodney moved to stand beside her. "Zelinka and I found this last night and told Dr. Jackson a couple of hours ago."
"Seems to match the writing we found," Daniel added. "Twelve worlds with one with a dying star." He pointed at the holographic solar system.
"Maybe." Marari walked under their find. "Seems to match the description, which if correct," she reached her hand up toward the flashing sun. "Then this is Kobol."
"Now the question becomes," Daniel joined her. "Where in the galaxy is Kobol located and these twelve worlds?"
"Hmmm." Images of the thirteen balls and the randomly flashing star returned to her memory. Could it be her family carried a legacy which spanned back centuries to this one event? If the book she remembered still existed, she might be able to prove it. Otherwise, it would only be speculation on her part. Unless her aunt knew and she had no intention of trying to locate the crazy woman.
"What bothers me is the reference about the thirteenth tribe returning to the submerged city." Daniel glanced at her probably waiting to see if she'd comment.
Rodney crossed his arms over his chest, a thoughtful look on his round face. "We know the Ancients returned to Earth because of the Wraith."
"Wish we knew the timeline." Daniel walked around looking at the two star systems.
"That's the difficult part," Marari agreed. "The translation makes it sound like the thirteenth tribe returned to Atlantis after it had been sunk under the ocean, but before they came back?"
Daniel nodded. "It's a good guess."
"Shall we ask?" Rodney motioned at the platform where an image of an ancient would appear and answer questions. "What is Kobol?"
A dark haired woman appeared wearing a long shimmering white dress. "Kobol is the birth place of humanity."
Daniel took over while Marari listened. "Is that where the, what we call the Ancients, came from?"
"We understand the term in reference to what you call us." A pale hand reached up. "We had not lived there since before the sun began to die."
"What?"
"The city. Atlantis. Had left long before."
She had her own question. "Did some of the survivors from Kobol reach Atlantis before everyone returned to Earth?"
"Some yes."
"What happened to the other tribes who lived there?"
"We are uncertain as it was not added to our record."
Both Daniel and Rodney looked shocked. Marari shook her head. "Well, at least they didn't know everything."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Three months after the discovery of Doctors Jackson and McKay and indirectly Marari Pryor, Colonel John Sheppard sat in his office after a long conversation with General O'Neill. He could still hear the words in his head.
"We're shutting down the Homeworld security offices and are on our way to join you at Atlantis. Both the General Hammond and Deadalus will be docking shortly."
"What happened?" John's heart rate increased and he wanted to leap into battle. O'Neill had just confirmed several rumors they'd been hearing.
A hard look passed over the aging man's face. "We received a warning from Senator Collins. The president is declaring war on the SGC and is in process of organizing an attack."
"That's crazy. We're protecting this planet!"
"I know, Colonel." O'Neill sighed. "We've managed to keep a low profile given the current political atmosphere, but it got leaked somehow and we have maybe a few hours before they attack Cheyenne Mountain."
"Has General Landry been warned?"
"Called him before I contacted you. They're evacuating as many as possible to the A and B sites. Colonel Mitchell, Vala and a few others volunteered to stay behind to make certain most of the staff and their families escape."
John didn't know everyone on at the mountain, but did know a few names. "How do you know they won't come after us?"
"The senator managed, although I don't know how, to delete or hide the information, but you won't be able to use the gate. They can track the power surge." He paused as if listening. "I used a magnet on my computer, so it won't be any use to them."
"Where are you?"
"Appears we have allies we didn't know about. Senator Collins is loaning us his private jet so we can get out of DC. Lucky I have a small staff."
"What's your ETA?" He'd have to be prepared and he needed to talk to Dr. McKay about the ZPM. They'd need to cloak the city.
"Couple of hours." He heard a slamming noise. "We won't be the only ones joining you. The director of the Phoenix Foundation is on her way along with or without a number of scientists who collaborated with us. At the very least she promised to help them disappear and start a new life." O'Neill chuckled with no humor. "That lady has connections."
John closed his eyes, hoping they could get to everyone. "That's going to include Dr. Benton Quest."
The general fell silent briefly. "Mattie says she's got Doctor Quest and his family covered."
"I'll let Marari know." The colonel knew the emergency protocols." I'll keep everyone here and let them know what is going on." He'd dispatch transport for Dr. Miller and her family. If he didn't, McKay would go get his sister himself.
"Colonel, are those stasis tubes usable?" John's attention refocused on O'Neill. "We may need them. This is not going to blow over overnight or I suspect any time soon."
Given what John had heard about the increasing hostility toward scientists, he understood O'Neill's concern. The only thing that might save them was if Senator Collins ran for president. "I'll have McKay, Beckett and Zelinka check them out."
"I have no idea how many refugees we'll be getting."
"We can handle it." John knew they could. They'd done it before after they'd first found the city. Teyla and her people had lived with them for a short time before relocating to one of continents.
"Good. Hope to see you soon." The phone line went dead. John stared at his cell briefly before going in search of the specialists he needed.
He found some of them in the records room with a couple of star systems floating over their heads.
"We made an amazing discovery," Rodney began, before stopping. "What's wrong?"
"Trouble. The government has just declared war on the SGC."
"What about those in Colorado Springs?" Daniel asked, his concern reflected both in his tone and on his face.
"Already evacuating." He turned to the astrophysicist. "Find Zelinka and Beckett. I want you to check out the stasis tubes."
"You want us to what?" Rodney's eyes widened. "And what about my sister and her family?"
"I'm sending transport for them and you heard me."
"Damn," Marari muttered. "What happened?"
"I only have a brief story." He shared what he knew. "We only know because of a warning from Senator Collins."
She covered her eyes with her hand. "He won't be able to run now."
"Rodney, go," John ordered. The scientist hurried out. "Why not, Marari?"
"Long story. This outcome does not surprise me. Not from some of the things my cousin has said."
"End program," Daniel ordered. The solar systems vanished. "Keeping secrets, Marari?"
"Just like I keep Atlantis safe, Daniel." Her worried eyes met John's. "What about Benton and his family?"
"General said Director Webber has got it covered."
"Oh, that's going to be amusing." She laughed. "Poor Benton."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
General O'Neill arrived just as the General Hammond docked. The jumper landed and the group disembarked, looking a little lost. He didn't blame them since he hadn't visited Atlantis himself.
"Welcome, General O'Neill," John greeted as they disembarked in the main landing hanger.
"Colonel Sheppard." He fell into step with the officer. "How are your preparations going?"
"We just put the first group into stasis." He turned to a younger officer following. "Major Lorne, will escort your staff to temporary quarters."
The younger officer saluted the general before turning to the group of officers and a few civilians. "If you'll follow me." They rounded a corner and disappeared up some stairs.
Jack was escorted to the main control room. He looked around with interest, his eyes resting on the stargate and the different panels he'd heard about in reports.
"Colonel Carter's crew will be going straight into stasis, same with Colonel Caldwell's," the colonel reported.
Jack followed Sheppard up the stairs and into his office. The colonel took a chair behind a wooden desk. The general sat across from him.
"None of the scientists have arrived yet," Sheppard told him.
"Director Webber is handling the situation." He knew he'd told the colonel that.
"Lucky for us we discovered an odd machine that seems to recharge the ZPM. Dr. McKay said it should keep the city powered to keep the stasis chambers running along with the shield."
"What kind of machine?" First Jack had heard about it.
"We literally just found it hidden in the stasis room. Had a tarp over it covered in dust and pushed behind a stack of equipment." He shook his head. "Wish we'd known it was there. We have could have used it many times in the past."
Marari rushed in. O'Neill frowned at her. "Sorry, General, John." She took a deep breath. "I just received a text from my cousin. The president has just ordered his arrest on the charge of treason."
Both men got to their feet. "Is he safe?" the general demanded.
"Lucky for them, Tony Stark flew Barnabas and his staff out of DC about thirty minutes before the edict was issued."
John sat back down. "Any idea where he took them?"
She shook her head. "Avenger headquarters maybe or one of their safe houses? Barnabas didn't tell me and I know better than to ask Tony."
"So I guess your cousin won't be running for president." Too bad, Jack thought. He would have made a good president and maybe have gotten the nation back on track.
"Not this time around. Maybe at a much later date. He's got time."
Her words seemed slightly off and O'Neill couldn't figure out why.
"I'm going to go watch for Benton and his family's arrival. Oh, and John, the Deadalus is about fifteen minutes out. Rodney asked me to let you know."
"Thanks, Marari."
She nodded and left.
Sheppard looked at O'Neill. "Any idea what happened at Cheyenne Mountain?"
Jack shook his head. "I got a brief message from Landry the attack had begun before all communication stopped." He sighed. "We might never know."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Several hours later, the crew of both ships had been placed in stasis as had most of the Atlantis scientists and along with their families, including the Miller family. McKay and Zelinka busily worked to close down the control panels and make certain the shield would last long enough to keep them concealed.
John hoped the new machine proved as affective as they were certain it would be.
"Here's Director Webber's report." Marari handed Colonel Sheppard the message.
Most scientists who collaborated with the SGC are secure and have been relocated. Hard to believe we have as much support as we do and how readily they offered their resources.
Tell Marari that Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark played a huge part. So did Julian Luna.
On our way to Maine and will pick up the Quests in route.
Thanks for the coordinates.
Mattie
O'Neill had looked over John's shoulder and hummffed. "No way they'll be able to land a jet here."
"Ordinary jet maybe." Marari gave the general a knowing look. "The Quest jet on the other hand, Race will be able to."
"What's so different about their jet?"
"I take it you haven't seen it?"
The general shook his head. John wanted to know too.
"Let's just say it has some unique properties. You'll see once it lands."
McKay spoke up. "They'd better get here before we engage the shield. Every moment it's down, we're vulnerable to attack."
"From what Barnabas communicated," Marari replied. "They only know about the SGC in Colorado, not Atlantis. They won't be looking here quite yet. Not unless they think Barnabas would be stupid enough to return to Collinsport."
Rodney snorted. "If we're lucky." He turned to John. "Thank you for rescuing my sister and her family."
"Knew we needed to make certain they were safe."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Luna's private jet landed at the Quest compound after a long flight across the US with multiple stopes. Dr. Quest had his own private runway and which made Mattie's job easier. They'd be harder to trace than if they'd landed in Bangor or even a smaller local airport.
She'd gotten the report after they'd taken off in LA that Phoenix had been raided by a combination of the FBI and military. Nothing had been left behind for them to find. Mattie had made certain of that. She imagined the look on their faces when they found the computer banks gutted and destroyed. It made her smile.
Julian Luna had unexpectedly offered relocation assistance for most of her employees. She had no idea the San Francisco businessman had such an elaborate underground and when she's asked him about it, he'd simply replied, "We all have our secrets."
"Mac, tell the pilot to take off once we disembark," Mattie ordered, getting ready to disembark.
"Consider it done." He knocked on the door and gave the pilot the order. He glanced over his team. "Come on, let's go."
Jack rolled his eyes and grabbed his small duffle bag. Browser claimed a suitcase and Riley grabbed hers along with her laptop computer.
They left the plane and cleared just as the plane taxied out and took off. She watched it vanish into the gray sky. "Keep moving. We don't know how long we have."
They headed for the main house and she was surprised when a jeep like vehicle approached them. A man with white hair frowned at them and she didn't miss the gun he carried.
"Hello, Mr. Bannon," Jack greeted. "Remember us?"
The man frowned at Dalton, until his eyes rested on Mac. "I remember you."
"Good to see you too, Race. We have a situation and need to get the Quests out of here before they're arrested for treason."
"We haven't done anything."
"You haven't," Mattie agreed. "We don't have a lot of time."
She read the body guard's concerned expression and knew they'd won.
"Get in." They crawled inside and headed for the house. "What's going on?" he asked.
Mattie started talking. "Dr. Quest consulted on a project the president has decided is a danger the United States. Everyone who has had any contact is in danger. That includes us."
His face tightened. "It's the same project Marari is involved with isn't it. Do you know if she's safe?"
"I haven't heard. We need to hurry, Mr. Bannon." She checked the sky for possible pursuit. "The clock is ticking."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
An hour later Benton watched Race, along with Mac and Jack load the luggage into the back of his newest jet. Two of the agents, a dark skinned man and a lovely exotic young woman, had already gone on board along with the kids. A ball rolled down the ramp and Bandit grabbed it before trotting back to Jonny.
"Are you almost done loading?" Mattie demanded. She stood at the top her arms akimbo and looking impressive in her dark suit.
"Yep." Jack returned. "And just in time.' He nodded toward the convoy of jeeps headed their way.
"Everyone on board!" Race ordered.
Dr. Quest hesitated, looking at the group about to descent up them.
Mattie yelled at him. "Get up here or so help me Dr. Quest, I will tie you up and toss you onboard your fancy jet."
"Unless one of your group is a pilot, I wouldn't advise it." He hurried up the ramp and he was aware of Mattie following him. Race secured the doors and each person claimed a seat in the main area. He slid into the co-pilot's chair, helping his friend get the jet going.
"Jonny, get Bandit under control," Benton snapped, aware of how narrowly they might escape the group coming to arrest them.
The plane slowly rose, not needing a runway to gain speed before gaining altitude. He heard an explosion and they rocked slightly. "Let's get out of here, Race."
"Right, doc."
Expertly they worked together to get the plane into the air and headed in the direction of Collinsport.
"So where are we going?" Race asked. Mattie gave him the coordinates.
"There's nothing there," Benton said.
"Oh, yes there is." The woman looked smug.
"Got a couple of fighters in pursuit," Race reported.
"I have every confidence you can,"
An explosion just off starboard side shook the plane. Bandit barked and Jessie screamed.
"Hold on, everyone," Race warned. "We're in for a bumpy ride."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"No!" Marari objected. "I refuse to go into stasis until Benton and his family arrive."
"Look," John patiently explained to her again. "Everyone is going to be under except Rodney, Dr. Beckett and me."
"But," she started again, holding her cat Prim against her chest. "I need to know if they make it."
"I understand how you feel." He gently guided her next to the tube. The clear round structure reminded her of a very old 1950's science fiction movie. "We've got fighters headed our way. We need everyone secure." John motioned around the room. "This is the safest place in the entire city."
"John," her tone warned. His expression told her he knew she could toss him across the room if she wanted.
"No, Marari. Not this time." He helped her step inside and closed the opening. Briefly she felt panicked, like being locked in a small space with no escape.
"It'll be okay," she heard Dr. Keller's distorted voice. "Just relax, breath in the gas."
"Benton," she whimpered, putting Prim, who had already fallen asleep on the floor. She prayed as she scrubbed to the process that she saw him again, although Marari had no idea if she would.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
By the time the Quests arrived, everyone on Atlantis had been placed in stasis. Only three people were still awake and the minute the jet touched down, the shield popped into place. Lucky for them, Rodney had made some improvements so the city couldn't be seen at all. The two fighters flying after the Quest jet went past them heading further north.
McKay smiled. "I wonder how long they'll keep flying before they realize they lost the plane?"
"No idea," John answered. "Dr. Beckett. Please go down and greet out guests and get them into stasis as quickly as you can."
Carson nodded and headed out, taking one of the carts with him. About an hour later John watched as the group came into the city and Beckett lead them to the stasis chamber. Their stuff would be stored in the neighboring room and would be there for their use when they woke up.
Whenever that happened to be.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Benton watched as his family and the Phoenix group were put into the tubes. The process took only a few minutes and it amazed him such technology was available.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"That's classified," Dr. Beckett told him. "Thank you for assisting me, Dr. Quest. Your turn now."
He nodded and entered the tube next to his son. Benton hoped Marari was there. If he had to live the rest of his life, however long that was, it would break his heart. Not that life played fair. Rachelle's unexpected death had reminded him of that.
He closed his eyes, and relaxed, dropping into a deep, but not dreamless sleep.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Taking a final look around the secured control room, making certain the equipment had been covered, like it had been when the city had been discovered, John headed down to the stasis chamber. When he arrived, Rodney had already been put under, in a spot next to his sister.
Dr. Beckett stood next to the panel, entering information. Hopefully to wake them up in a few years. "When ever you're ready, Colonel."
John nodded and entered the tube, Carson taking one further down. The gases reminded him of scented lemons and spinach, he grinned, hoping McKay, with his citrus allergy, hadn't panicked. Slowly his eyes closed, his body cooling and he entered the deep sleep from which he might never awake.
But he figured he would. After all, it would fun to see what the future would be like.
Author's note: If you want to find out what happened to everyone, please read Always Comes Back to Haunt Us set over two hundred years in the future in the universe of Babylon 5 and Crusade.
**see The Deal to find out what Julian Luna and Pru Halliwell agreed on. This tale also works as a background piece for Recalled, a multi-crossover that offers an alternate ending for Atlantis. Or anytime I write a story when the Kindred and Charmed Ones cross paths.