Jarod was alive, really alive, not just a sack of meat in a safe house. She had refused to believe that information in light of her banishment then Carter had called her to a meeting.
"They've decided to send him to Atlantis." Carter said carefully.
Max was staring down at the Stargate and frowning with her back to Sam.
"Why?
"They say for security. The Centre is effectively dismantled but it's a lot harder to get to Atlantis than any facility on Earth."
"They say." Max said bitterly and sigh, "They want more immortals here and he doesn't get a vote."
"I'm sorry. For what it's worth I think it will do you both good to be together and we have no intention of exposing him to the Wraith."
"Is it him? Really him?"
"I don't know." Max thought about Jarod's brilliance and life, his humor and powerful charisma, thought about that rendered mute and worse, a living monument of flesh and bone to what once was.
"Dr. Beckett has been briefed –"
"How thoroughly?"
"He has all the information we have available."
"Meaning?"
Sam bit her lip then sighed and cleared her throat, "Meaning that we still don't know how or why Carthis was built, its purpose, or anything else meaningful. The planet was evacuated and the coordinates locked out of the dialing computers."
Max could feel her friend was holding back.
"Until now?" She guessed.
Carter's jaw flexed. "I don't have proof but it makes sense. Your reaction to wraith, his recovery…it's all justification for reopening research. The IOA are terrified, they've always been conservative in their thinking – justly so considering the stakes – but now they're faced with an army of well, space vampires and a possible super weapon. We've sacrificed more in a time of war." She said ruefully.
"Do you think they consider us human too?" Max asked. It surprised her to hear that question she hadn't consciously intended to ask it. But, that was the crux of it of course, if the IOA thought immortals were useful weapons and Other than Human it would be simple enough to justify weaponizing them. And any immortal that didn't want to become a warrior for humanity –"
"Are they recruiting yet?"
Sam looked confused then her brilliant agile mind caught the trail of Max's thoughts and she frowned.
"I'll call Jack."
"Sam, I know you've heard this all before but trust me when I say that as amoral and ruthless as Methos was he was one of the good guys. If the IOA starts actively recruiting immortals they'll find all of us stacked against them."
"Even you?"
"If I can." She admitted.
Carter studied her friend for a long moment. "I will too." She said finally.
Max relaxed slightly.
"When is he arriving?"