Hello everyone,
This chapter is a little later than I had planned, I've been busy recently. But I would like to take some time to answer some reviews.
MalSer: There are fun times ahead to be sure. I hope you stick around to watch the fireworks!
Andrew Lee Houghton: As I've explained in previous review answers, this is an AU of both Stargate and Star Wars, just imagine that none of the quotes or Easter Eggs referencing Star Wars happened. As for your other comments, I promise they will be answered in the next chapter, or at least the coming ones. This story is completely planned out and there is a good reasons for the pacing and layout. Also, please remember this story is a slow burn, so far, these chapters have been over the span of around a week.
As for everyone else, I'm thankful for the encouragement and I appreciate the kind words.
Please read and review.
-Spearhead
Doctor Rodney McKay stood examining a whiteboard covered in equations, a marker pressed against his lips as he checked the maths for the fifth time.
This fairly large room had, since their arrival, became his makeshift laboratory. Which he had secluded himself in as soon as he'd gotten a copy of the schematics of the Might and the Star Forge.
Zelenka was busy in one of the other rooms with FC-L0, one of the mechanical crew members from the Bastilla's Might, unpacking the equipment the expedition had bought with them.
Rodney didn't have time for matters as trivial as setting up the expeditions servers, hard-drives and being IT support for the control room technicians. Instead giving that great responsibility to someone who actually had the patience for the task.
A beeping from behind the scientist caught his attention, causing him to turn on the spot. His eyes watching as the words 'DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETE' blinked on the devices screen while holographic representations of both the Might and Star Forge shone from the pair of devices gifted to him by Revan.
"About time." The scientist huffed in annoyance before approaching the computer and pulling the results up onto the large display screen in front of him, standing on a hastily assembled table.
The area around the monitor was littered with notepads, empty wrappers from his snack breaks and metal mugs holding the last mouthfuls of old coffee he had yet to return to the temporary cafeteria.
"Radek!" Rodney shouted as he straightened his posture, his face not giving anything away at how amazed he actually, internally was.
After a second, Zelenka came in, followed by the heavy metallic steps of the droid he'd been working with.
"What? What is it?" Zelenka asked quickly as he sped into the room, glancing at the display to see if perhaps the lead scientist needed IT support of his own.
"Check this and tell me my eyes aren't playing tricks on me." Rodney ordered, rubbing his hands against his stinging eyes. After being awake since their arrival four days ago, he and many others hadn't slept.
Radek just shook his head and bent over to examine the screen, preferring to use the laptop's built in display, looking at the screen through his glasses.
After several seconds, the man came to the same conclusion as Rodney had.
"That's amazing." Zelenka admitted as he looked up at his colleague, the droid coming up to his side and just standing silent.
"Do you know what this means?" McKay asked impatiently as the possibilities jumped through his mind.
"It means a lot, Rodney." Zelenka nodded, watching as the man began to pace back and forth.
"It's what we've been looking for, kind of. This is an alternate power source to even ZPMs. The whole reason the SGC greenlit this intergalactic jaunt." McKay suggested as his mind continued to race.
"Just because the Might has the storage capacity of a ZPM, doesn't mean we can duplicate it." Zelenka warned as he glanced at the diagnostic data again.
"Of course we can. But don't forget, soon we'll have the Star Forge. That would obviously have more storage than the Might." Rodney countered before they both looked over to the now box shaped piece of technology, roughly a foot in width, height and length.
"Perhaps, but it will still take time." Zelenka said, stating the obvious. Although even he had to admit that the progress the shard had made in half a week was impressive.
"Just think Radek, when we duplicate and miniaturise the storage capability of the Might, we will have an unlimited supply of energy. I may have to talk to our new resident Jedi about if he has any pre-existing mobile versions." Rodney offered, with a small hint of arrogance.
"We still have other work to do until then. Are you coming?" Zelenka asked as he watched Rodney begin to write on another hastily assembled whiteboard surrounded by crates of equipment.
"You go ahead. I'm going to start on this." Rodney said without turning away from the diagram he was beginning to draw and the calculations he was rapidly scribbling.
"FLOW, please, let's get back to work." Zelenka sighed before turning and leaving the room, the machine quietly following his command.
"Oh don't tell me you named it!" McKay whined looking towards his now leaving colleague, the metal steps following the Czech scientist.
Revan stood on a balcony overlooking the landing platform on which he had arrived less than a week ago. Except now, instead of being empty, it was buzzing with activity as several droids unloaded the crates of supplies from the latest shuttle run to the Might.
The crates being bought down in the first round of scheduled shipments containing equipment that he had managed to manufacture on The Foundry in secret before the Sith attack.
Not that anything in those crates were hastily needed by the expedition, as they'd bought their own supplies with them. Even though in his opinion, the expedition had under-prepared themselves, but his stock would bolster their own.
Of course with the Might's matter-synthesis bays, they wouldn't run short of anything. Not to mention the fact that the Star Forge would have manufacturing capabilities in several months.
"Revan, may I join you?" The polite voice of Elizabeth Weir asked from behind him.
He turned to nod and watched as she came to his side, leaning against the railing.
"You have questions." Revan stated as a matter of fact while his eyes returned to watching the droids below.
"That obvious?" Weir smiled, as she watched as two droids walked down the ramp of Revan's shuttle carrying a long grey box between them. The machines still fascinating her, even if she wouldn't say it loud enough for anyone to hear.
"Ask me whatever you wish." He said, as the shuttle began to power itself up for another trip to orbit, the ramp being raised by the build in hydraulics.
"Why are you helping us? Giving us all this technology?" Elizabeth asked seriously, it had been a question sitting in her mind ever since he had given them the shard from the Star Forge.
"You saw the vision as well as read the reports from your people. Who else in this galaxy could possibly stand against the Wraith? If Teyla is to be believed, this is a galaxy of farmers. You are the best hope for fighting this abomination and perversion of life. Even though I know it won't be easy, I'm also not naive to think that the Wraith are the only obstacle we will face. So knowing that, and knowing that I am only one person, why not gain your help and in return help you?" Revan answered honestly as the shuttle's engines fired, it's repulsers activating to lift the ship from the pad below before it sped off into the sky.
"I believe you, and I'm grateful for your help, but that wasn't a direct answer." Weir smiled.
"I was told to help you, by someone wiser and very dear to me." Revan admitted after a few seconds of thought, not really wanting to discuss the matter.
"I'll take that answer, for now. I don't believe you intend my people any harm, if I did, you wouldn't be here." Elizabeth shrugged as she turned around to look at the city beyond the piers landing pad and taking in a deep breath of ocean air as she admired the city.
"It is a sight to behold, reminds me of a world I visited in my home galaxy. Manaan, an ocean covered planet. The capital was a city built above the sea level for off world visitors." Revan said as his eyes found the horizon.
"Actually, we haven't determined if this planet has any landmass yet." Weir said as the thought clicked into her mind, she hadn't even considered the fact there might not be any continents on the planet.
"It does. A single large continent on the other side of the planet. Flora and fauna are harmless enough. I'll have a droid bring you a data pad with a report from the Might's sensor sweeps." Revan nodded, quickly answering the questions before they formed in the Doctor's mind.
"Thank you. I hope we speak again soon, but for now, I'll leave you to get settled. I want to go check on our Athosian guests." Weir smiled before she left the Jedi Master to his thoughts and silent supervision.
"Can I ask you a question, Doctor?" Revan asked, turning to face her as she stopped in the doorway.
"Of course." Weir smiled, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Your expedition members and the Athosians, you've confined them to the central tower, why is that?" Revan queried, leaving certain things unsaid.
"This city has been abandoned for ten-thousand years, it's technology is barely understood by my people. I don't want someone getting hurt because of something they don't know how to use." Weir answered honestly, compassion coating her words.
"I understand. My droids will begin surveys of the surrounding towers in the coming days, with the goal of eventually traversing the entire city. They are simply going to map the area, inspect for damage and will be instructed not activate any systems or interact with any technology. If you would like your people to join them, I won't object. Although they will be using tools and technology unfamiliar to your people. I will of course have reports of their findings sent to you." Revan informed, looking at the woman with respect.
"I will take you up on that offer, I'll have Major Sheppard gather some of his personnel." Weir explained, with a smile.
"Perhaps the Athosians also." Revan suggested politely.
"I will consider it." Weir offered, her mind filling with suspicion when her thoughts turned to the people that the Major had welcomed into the city.
"I understand." Revan nodded, fully aware that not everyone was always what they appeared to be.
Weir smiled once again, a polite and diplomatic smile before she continued to leave, entering the building to find the transporter booth.
Revan waited for several minutes, using the force to confirm that the Expedition Leader had indeed left the tower before he too left the balcony.
Not having to go far down the corridor, Revan walked at a calm pace. This tower, in fact the entire section of Atlantis, had recently been under water. Although, luckily the damage seemed minimal, having only just flooded after the Expeditions arrival.
As he passed one of the open doors, he glanced inside to see a pair of droids with portable heaters, drying out the large space for later use. They were only one of the five teams performing this task, opening doors and windows as they went while collecting the water-damaged furniture and dead plants for disposal.
Revan journeyed deeper into the tower and found himself in a massive open area, possibly originally intended to be some kind of gathering place or conference hall. But now, it would be Revan's command centre, or at least it would be when the robotic team had finished assembling the equipment.
In the centre of the space, a holo-table was being installed by two Sentinel-Series droids from the Might's crew. This, when operational, would display data relayed from the ship and other sources for Revan's oversight. Of course, as his influence grew, the information would vary.
Around the edge of the room, computer terminals and workbenches were also present, but had yet to be assembled.
"Master." Erica bowed as she looked up from the datapad in her hand.
"Padawan, do you have an update for me?" Revan queried as he watched the holotable flicker on, its power-line connected to the junction box that was linked to the power cell in another room as opposed to Atlantis' power grid.
Erica paused for a moment before stepping towards the holotable and typing a command. Two separate images appeared above the table. One was a schematic of the Might's cargo bay while the other was a simplistic box meant to represent the storage area on the floor below, hovering next to both were boxes of text detailing their contents.
"HK reports that he has arranged the next three shipments of materials in the Might's hanger bay. We have already completed two runs this morning, bringing our total to twenty-two percent transferred." Erica informed, pulling up the storage area's latest inventory and offering it for his review.
"What was prioritised?" Revan asked, refusing the datapad with a shake of his head, examining the holotable's display instead.
"The first few runs were a bit of a mix. Including logistics droids, security droids, crew droids, the equipment here and the power cell that'll power it. But following that, as you instructed, military equipment was given precedence. HK-47 wanted to 'establish a proper footing' before shipping the military equipment." Erica answered, bringing up a new list on the table, grunting slightly as she quoted the droid.
"Have you familiarised yourself with what weapons we bought with us?" Revan tested, knowing she probably hadn't memorized it, but she would have to learn if she would be leading soldiers some day. Regardless of if they were human or droid.
"All of the weapons were created on the Foundry, so it isn't exactly republic standard issue. But the list includes blaster pistols, blaster rifles, grenades, stun batons, proton missile launchers and armour." Erica listed, not once looking at the holotable or her datapad.
"You forgot about the Autoturrets." Revan teased, examining the projections.
"I didn't think we had much use for them, so I didn't include them." Erica explained, being completely honest.
"Just because we won't have any threats in the city currently, doesn't mean we won't in the future." Revan reminded, trying to teach caution and foresight to his Padawan.
"Of course, I will have HK send them down, perhaps we can set them up in defensive positions here in the tower." Erica suggested, looking down at her pad, disappointment filling her.
"Perhaps. We will have to consult with the expedition, they might have use for them. Maybe we can install them in the control tower to defend against incursions through the stargate." Revan thought aloud.
"We will need another power cell if that's the case." Erica reminded, still bitter about her small failure.
"The Might can manufacture one." Revan simply stated, still not taking his eyes off of the holotable.
"Yes, master." Erica nodded, her disappointment transitioning into frustration, aided by her fatigue.
"Droid assignments?" Revan queried, turning to look at his Padawan, ignoring her internal strife.
"Beside the droids in here, Logistics FC-L0 is currently assisting Doctor Zelenka, Logistics FC-L2 is downstairs preparing the designated storage areas for incoming materials, Security HK-50 AZ and BA are also downstairs guarding the armoury while seven Sentinel droids are out on the landing pad." Erica answered, glancing at her datapad, having to change the information displayed.
"What materials are next?" Revan questioned, rubbing his stubble covered chin.
"Next, in order, we have: communications equipment, CN droids five to twenty, computing equipment, then medical supplies with medical droid FC-M4, Astromech T7 units sixteen to twenty-two, Probe droids twenty-four to twenty-nine, and lastly foodstuffs." Erica replied, once again having to read the information from her datapad.
"When the subspace communications array arrives, I want it set up and a link to the Might's sensor systems. Also, have a droid deliver the sensor data about the planets continent to Doctor Weir." Revan ordered, a yawn escaping him.
"I will get it done, master. But you should rest." Erica said, concern pushing aside her frustration.
"We both should. We'll have to get bunks bought down from the Might." Revan jested, glancing over to the young woman that was just as tired as he was.
"I'll add it to the list, but I think meditation will suffice for now." Erica smiled, quickly typing a series of notes on her datapad.
"I believe it will have to do. Shall we?" Revan smiled in return, gesturing to the floor nearby.
Erica just nodded in agreement, placing her datapad onto the holotable and turning to follow Revan several paces away. The pair lowered themselves to the ground and crossed their legs into a meditation pose. The force washing over them both, healing and replenishing them.
Major John Sheppard sat on his simple metal bunk, in the room he had selected for himself. The darkness was partially lit by a slice of moonlight that ventured in through his window. It was only just enough to show the face of the man stood in judgement of him. Marshal Sumner, a dead man, stared at him from across the dark room. His face pale, wrinkled and warped as the eyes seemed to be searching frantically.
"Colonel.." Sheppard began, but the sight causing his words to fail him.
The ghost's vision locked onto the young man and his foot took a step forward. As another step was completed, the apparition became more aged and the wrinkles deeper.
"Major, you could have saved me." The mans voice wasn't angry or in pain, it was disappointed.
"Sir, I.." Sheppard tried to defend his choice, but once again, the words wouldn't leave his throat.
"You wanted my job that badly?" Sumner asked, another step causing a wave of degradation to wash over him, his skin becoming leathery and cracked.
"No, Sir, there was nothing I could do." Sheppard defended, wanting to retreat, but his body not cooperating with this mind.
"You could have done more!" Sumner shouted as he ran at the bunk, but before contact was made, a gunshot rang out.
Sheppard watched as the body dropped to the ground and looked down at his hand, a pistol smoking from his grip.
With a jolt, the Major awoke, jumped from his cot. His breathing was heavy and his brow was peppered with beads of sweat. His mind was racing from the images it had conjured, his eyes darting around the room to find his victim, only to see a single box of his belongings he had bought with him from Antarctica.
"Damn it." Sheppard huffed as he actively tried to calm himself down. He had seen people die before, friends even, but this time was different. This time, he had been the one to pull the trigger and watch as a life was taken by his direct actions.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 5!
I am interested to know what everyone thinks of the ending. I was and am, personally bothered by the lack of remorse that Sheppard felt for Sumner. So I decided to add some. If you agree with my nightmare, let me know. If you hate it, also let me know.
Please review and please leave your honest thoughts or questions or even ideas, I welcome any feedback.
Keep your eyes out for Chapter 6! Coming soon!
-Spearhead