When the mines Colonel Everett had had deployed were destroyed by the Wraith hurling astroids at them, Xander heard Kyle murmur, "Should we just say, I told you so, now or wait until they're on top of us?"
His lips twitching, Xander knew he didn't need to say anything, as the Pack would scent his amusement. Then he stopped being amused when the bombardment began. The shield, with only a nearly depleted ZPM, was not going to hold out long. Major Sheppard was making every drone weapon count and the rail guns were doing their job as well, but it was only a matter of time before they had Wraith in the city. And still two days until the Daedalus arrived.
And then Teyla, the Athosian ambassador who was a part of Major Sheppard's team and apparently could sense Wraith, came to tell them, that the Wraith were in the city. Her senses must be greater then the Pack's, because they didn't sense the Wraith until they were a few hundred yards away. And then they were fighting. Xander was grateful he'd insisted on the Pack being allowed use of their usual weapons when he saw just how many bullets it took to take down a Wraith. Damn, these things were as hard to kill as the vampires back home!
Still a day until the Daedalus arrived. They were holding their own. Then Lt. Ford was hurt and overdosed on Wraith enzyme. Damn, that's nasty. And then the Pack found out why Colonel Everett was so hostile towards Major Sheppard. He'd been friends with the Colonel originally assigned to the exposition. Apparently, a Wraith Queen had fed on him and Major Sheppard has killed him to end his suffering. Once Xander and the Pack saw Everett after he too had been fed on, they understood Major Sheppard's actions and agreed with him. Was it even possible to recover from what the Wraith had done to Colonel Everett? Xander certainly hoped so.
And then, to complicate matters, Lt. Ford decided to try to escape. A drugged out soldier stealing a jumper and trying to fly it out of the city. Xander hadn't even known he had the Ancient gene. Before he could get the jumper into the gate though, Kyle managed to sprint to the jumper and override the outside access control to the door. He got inside, just as the jumper went through the gate. A few minutes later they dialed the address the jumper had gone to and Kyle asked for Atlantis' address so he could bring the unconscious Lt. Ford back and oh yah! Fly this totally cool ship with his mind!
Sometimes Xander wondered if his Pack was made up of children. On the other hand, he was so totally looking forward to a chance to fly a real alien spacecraft with his own mind! Maybe he was still a kid too.
And finally the Daedalus arrived, along with a fully charged ZPM. Dr. McKay, someone Faith had not been happy to see and hoped had improved his manners, took the ZPM to the power room and inserted it into the control panel. And the shield came up fully. Yes! They were going to live another day! Everyone was holding their breath as the Daedalus attacked the Wraith ships. Major Sheppard had been prepared to sacrifice himself to save the city, but the Daedalus' timely arrival had saved him the trouble. The Daedalus manged to take out one of the Wraith ships and damaged the other, which decided on the better part of valor being a hasty retreat and left. They'd done it. They'd protected the city. Now what? Xander was going to regret thinking that. Challenging Murphy was so not a good idea and one would think he'd learned that lesson by now.
As the Wraith departed a hologram appeared in the control room. Right in front of Xander. It appeared to be a woman of middle years, dressed in the robes the Ancients had apparently favored. Xander was definitely startled. So was everyone else. What was going on? They wondered. And then the hologram spoke.
"Protector, please advise. There is only one Potentia in the power matrix. An additional two should be placed for maximum function of Atlantis."
"What's does it mean by Protector?" Dr. Weir asked. "And what's a Potentia?"
Xander decided to take a chance. "You are aware of my status?"
"Of course, Protector. You were scanned as you came through the Stargate, as all visitors are. Please advise, regarding Potentia."
"We don't currently have any additional Potentia. Please advise as to where we can locate additional Potentia."
"The manufacturing facility on Analta should have several in reserve, Protector. Shall I contact them and have the additional Potentia transported to Atlantis?"
"Not at this time. Please display the galactic coordinates of Analta so we may dispatch personal to collect the Potentia ourselves."
"As you wish, Protector." A gate address appeared on a display screen at the back of the control room.
"Will there be anything else, Protector?"
"Compile a list of damage to Atlantis by priority listing and display as soon as you have finished compiling it."
"Yes, Protector."
"What the Hell was that?!" McKay exploded.
"Willow was right again. The Ancients are the ones who taught our ancestors how to make Protectors. And no, Dr. McKay, you don't have the clearance to know what that means. The city recognized our enhancements, apparently. I really should know better than to challenge Murphy by now."
